Victoria Hill, 40, a married mom-of-two, has been on an emotional rollercoaster since she used an at-home DNA kit in 2020

Shocking DNA Test Reveals Woman's High School Sweetheart Was Actually Her Half-Brother

A Connecticut mother's journey to uncover her genetic roots took a disturbing turn when a DNA test revealed not only that her father wasn't her biological parent - but that her high school sweetheart was actually her half-brother.

Victoria Hill, 40, discovered through 23andMe that her mother's fertility doctor had secretly used his own sperm to impregnate multiple patients in the 1980s, resulting in dozens of half-siblings who unknowingly crossed paths throughout their lives - including her former boyfriend.

The revelation has exposed troubling ethical lapses in historic fertility practices while forcing Victoria to grapple with the psychological aftermath of an accidental incestuous relationship.

Victoria Hill’s High School Reunion Surprise

Victoria Hill eagerly anticipated her high school reunion, ready to update her classmates on recent life changes.

Victoria Hill, 40, a married mom-of-two, has been on an emotional rollercoaster since she used an at-home DNA kit in 2020

As they gathered in 2023 at a restaurant, Victoria shared a stunning revelation: her at-home DNA test had shown that her dad wasn’t her biological father. The real shock? Her biological father was her mother’s fertility doctor, who had secretly used his own sperm during the procedure.

Discovering Her Half-Siblings

Victoria wasn’t the only victim. The doctor had done the same to other women, leaving her with dozens of half-siblings she had never met.

As she recounted the story, she noticed her high school boyfriend’s expression change. He grew quiet, revealing that he too had been conceived through fertility treatment. He was now one of her newfound siblings.

Teenage Sweethearts Turned Siblings

Victoria, now 40 and a clinical social worker, recalled how inseparable she and her former boyfriend were during their teenage years.

The revelation that they had unknowingly engaged in accidental incest was heartbreaking for both of them. This discovery also highlighted concerning issues surrounding the fertility care practices of the 1970s and 80s.

Unraveling the Mystery

In 2020, Victoria took a 23andMe DNA test after developing a health condition typically tied to genetics.

The results were shocking—she had 24 siblings. Through them, she learned that her biological father was Dr. Burton Caldwell, a fertility specialist who had inseminated her mother without consent. Confronting her mother, Victoria realized she had been unaware of the unethical practices used during her fertility treatment.

Burton Caldwell poses for a selfie with another of his many donor-kids

The fertility industry in the 1970s and 80s lacked modern ethical standards, and many doctors used their own sperm or other anonymous donors without the patients’ knowledge.

Victoria’s mother, Maralee, like many others, trusted the system and had no idea that Caldwell had fathered her daughter.

Unintended Consequences

Victoria soon learned that many families in her area had used Caldwell’s clinic. Four of her half-siblings had attended her school, including her high school sweetheart.

The ex-boyfriend reached out to Victoria after taking his own DNA test, confirming they were siblings.

Victoria admitted that the revelation was difficult to process.

Their teenage relationship had been based on an unconditional love that made sense in retrospect—after all, they shared 24% of their DNA. Now, the two are struggling to navigate their relationship and transform it into a sibling bond.

Confronting Her Biological Father

Seeking answers, Victoria visited Caldwell at his Connecticut home.

She found an old man with no regrets about fathering so many children, justifying his actions as part of his role as a fertility doctor. Victoria, who works in psychoanalysis, believes he’s a narcissist but feels unable to fully understand him.

Legal Battles and Uncertainty

Victoria’s mother, along with three other patients, is suing Caldwell for using his own sperm without consent.

They are pursuing lawsuits that accuse him of misconduct, emotional distress, assault, and fraud. Yale University and its associated entities are also being pulled into the lawsuits.

Cases like Victoria’s are becoming more common due to the rise of at-home DNA tests. One in five Americans has taken a DNA test, with many uncovering unexpected family connections.

About a dozen states have passed laws to regulate fertility clinics, but Victoria believes more needs to be done.

A Cautionary Tale for the Future

Victoria doubts that Connecticut will tighten its fertility laws, or that Caldwell will ever face serious consequences.

Her primary concern is for her two young children, fearing they might unknowingly date their cousins. She plans to have potential partners DNA tested, as her children now have over 40 first cousins in the area.