Overview

• Thaddeus Daniel Pierce arrived in Ohio on July 26 after developing from an embryo frozen since May 1994, eclipsing the previous 30-year record held by twins born in 2022.
• The embryo was one of four created during Linda Archerd’s first IVF cycle and remained under her legal custody with annual storage payments following her divorce.
• Archerd chose an open embryo adoption facilitated by Christian-affiliated agencies that allowed her to select Lindsey and Tim Pierce as recipients.
• In November 2024, the Pierces underwent embryo transfer at Rejoice Fertility in Tennessee and only the thawed embryo that produced Thaddeus proved viable.
• Despite a difficult delivery, Lindsey and her son are now in good health and the milestone has spurred renewed discussion of assisted reproduction ethics and calls for clearer storage regulations.