In the annals of medical ethics violations, the case of Doctor Donald Cline, a fertility specialist from Indiana, stands out for its profound breach of trust and lasting impact on countless lives. During the 1970s and 80s, Doctor Donald Cline surreptitiously inseminated numerous patients with his own sperm, a shocking act committed without their informed consent or knowledge. This egregious deception is brought to light in the gripping Netflix documentary, Our Father, which premiered in May and unveils the heart-wrenching stories of the women affected and their biological children – at least 94 of them.
Our Father meticulously chronicles the journey of these siblings as they unravel the truth about their parentage. Through poignant interviews with parents and children, the film exposes their collective outrage and frustration at the justice system’s failure to hold Doctor Donald Cline accountable for his actions. Released at a time when reproductive rights are increasingly vulnerable in the U.S., Our Father resonates deeply, prompting critical questions about legal protections for individual reproductive autonomy and the pursuit of justice when such autonomy is violated.
The DNA Test Revelation: Uncovering a Web of Half-Siblings
Jacoba Ballard unwittingly initiated the exposure of Doctor Donald Cline‘s misdeeds when she took an at-home DNA test and discovered seven half-siblings. This startling revelation propelled Ballard and her newfound family members to investigate their shared lineage. Their research led them to the horrifying truth: the trusted fertility doctor their parents had consulted had used his own sperm for insemination. As more individuals added their DNA to databases like 23andMe, the number of confirmed siblings continued to climb. Each new match brought a mix of shock and dread for Ballard, who felt the burden of delivering life-altering news. As she recounts in the documentary, “I know I’m going to call them and I’m going to ruin their life.”
Julie Harmon, another sibling, poignantly describes the identity crisis triggered by this discovery: “It just completely washes away your identity. You really have no idea who you are anymore.” Our Father features interviews with eight of the at least 94 siblings, highlighting the immense scale of Doctor Donald Cline‘s actions. Due to his non-cooperation and the unknown number of patients he treated until his retirement in 2009, the full extent of his deception and the total number of biological children remains uncertain.
Julie Harmon in Our Father
Julie Harmon, featured in the Netflix documentary Our Father, shares her emotional journey of discovering her biological connection to numerous half-siblings through the actions of Doctor Donald Cline.
Religious Extremism as a Potential Motive for Doctor Donald Cline
Our Father delves into the potential motivations behind Doctor Donald Cline‘s actions, suggesting a connection to his religious beliefs and affiliation with the extremist Christian sect “Quiverfull.” This ideology encourages followers to maximize procreation to fulfill a perceived divine mandate to “be fruitful and multiply,” aiming to increase the number of adherents in positions of influence. The documentary briefly touches upon the unsettling observation that many of Doctor Donald Cline‘s biological children share similar physical traits, raising questions about potential white supremacist undertones within his motivations, given Quiverfull’s promotion of patriarchal and conservative ideals, coupled with concerns about declining European populations.
The film underscores the pervasive influence of Doctor Donald Cline‘s faith on his medical practice, particularly after a tragic accident where he accidentally killed a young girl with his car. His clinic was characterized by overt displays of his religious beliefs: staff prayer sessions, advising patients to incorporate prayer into treatment decisions, Christian sayings decorating the office, and a particular emphasis on Jeremiah 1:5 (“Before I formed you in your mother’s womb I knew you.”), a verse often cited in Quiverfull contexts. Despite these indicators, Doctor Donald Cline has never publicly acknowledged any connection to the Quiverfull movement.
Justice Elusive: The Legal System’s Failure to Hold Doctor Donald Cline Accountable
A central theme of Our Father is the glaring lack of legal recourse available to the siblings and their parents. By the time the scale of Doctor Donald Cline‘s crimes began to surface in 2015, he was already retired and living in Indianapolis. Despite appeals to the Marion County prosecutor and the Indiana attorney general, arguing that Doctor Donald Cline‘s medical practices constituted rape, progress was agonizingly slow, fueling frustration among the victims.
While awaiting action from authorities, Doctor Donald Cline maintained his standing in the community and church, even performing baptisms. Simultaneously, he allegedly engaged in subtle intimidation tactics against the siblings as they pursued legal action and public exposure. Jacoba Ballard recounts the mysterious removal of lug nuts from her car. Julie Harmon reported the sudden erasure of her hard drive, eliminating her research on Doctor Donald Cline. Heather Woock, another sibling who spoke publicly, received unsettling phone calls inquiring about cemetery plots.
Jacoba Ballard in Our Father
Jacoba Ballard, a central figure in “Our Father,” bravely recounts her experience and the collective fight for justice against Doctor Donald Cline.
When prosecutors finally investigated Doctor Donald Cline, the outcome was deeply disappointing for the victims. Despite the victims’ pleas for rape charges based on his unauthorized inseminations, prosecutors concluded that legally, Doctor Donald Cline‘s actions did not meet the definition of rape under Indiana law at the time.
Tim Delaney, a former prosecutor involved in the case, acknowledges in the film, “I don’t deny that it was a sexual violation, [but] ‘Doctor Donald Cline committed rape,’ is a legal assertion that was not true.” He explained that his role was not to provide emotional catharsis but to apply the law as it was written. Liz White, a former patient, powerfully countered this legal interpretation, stating, “I was raped 15 times and didn’t even know it. There was no consent. He didn’t give me a choice.”
The filmmakers, including director Lucie Jourdan, aimed to amplify the siblings’ and parents’ voices, seeking to publicly condemn Doctor Donald Cline‘s actions after the legal system’s shortcomings became apparent. Ultimately, to prosecute Doctor Donald Cline, the justice system resorted to charges unrelated to the core violation. In 2017, he faced two felony counts of obstruction of justice for lying during the investigation. Crucially, the obstruction charges prevented any evidence related to his actions against patients from being presented in court. Doctor Donald Cline pled guilty, receiving suspended sentences and a minimal fine.
Our Father highlights the disturbing reality that Doctor Donald Cline‘s actions existed in a legal vacuum. The siblings’ activism, spearheaded by Matt White and Liz White, played a crucial role in the 2018 passage of Indiana’s fertility-fraud law. However, a federal law addressing such violations remains absent.
While Doctor Donald Cline‘s case is unique in its scale, the documentary underscores a broader, unsettling truth: the vulnerability of individual reproductive choice and the inadequate legal protections surrounding it. Doctor Donald Cline‘s decisions, potentially fueled by extremist religious beliefs, represent an abuse of power with far-reaching consequences. Our Father effectively brings the siblings’ story to the forefront, serving as a crucial commentary on the precarious framework surrounding reproductive autonomy and the urgent need for stronger legal safeguards.
