In a groundbreaking medical event that bridges science and hope, a baby boy has been born in 2025 from an embryo frozen over three decades ago, making headlines and setting a new world record in fertility science.
Thaddeus Daniel Pierce, the infant at the center of this extraordinary story, was born to Lindsey (35) and Tim Pierce (34) of Ohio, USA, after the couple adopted a frozen embryo preserved since 1994.
After seven years of struggling with infertility, the Pierces turned to a faith-based adoption program known as Snowflakes, operated by Nightlight Christian Adoptions, which specializes in embryo adoptions. They were matched with Linda Archerd, the original donor of the embryo.
Linda, now in her 60s, originally created four embryos through IVF in 1994. One became her daughter, now 30, while the remaining three were kept in storage. Refusing to discard them or donate anonymously, she held onto them for decades, hoping for a family who would welcome the embryo as their own.
“I always wanted to be involved,” Linda said, adding that she saw the child as her daughter’s biological sibling. She selected the Pierces based on her preferences for a married, Christian, Caucasian couple in the U.S.
The embryo transfer was performed at Rejoice Fertility, a Tennessee-based clinic that accepts and successfully implants embryos regardless of how long they've been frozen. According to medical reports, Thaddeus' birth marks the longest known gap between embryo freezing and live birth, surpassing the previous record set in 2022 by twins born from embryos frozen in 1992.
Despite the extraordinary circumstances, the Pierces say their goal was never to break records but simply to build a family.
“We weren’t out to make headlines,” said Lindsey. “We just wanted to have a baby.”
For Linda Archerd, the story has come full circle. Though she has yet to meet Thaddeus in person, she says the resemblance between him and her daughter is undeniable — a living reminder of life preserved and possibilities realized through science and compassion.
Thaddeus Daniel Pierce may never fully grasp how long he waited to be born, but his arrival is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the boundless desire to nurture life — even from the distant past.
