Ancestry Test Reveals Shocking Fertility Doctor Scandal

In December 2024, Joseph Laedtke’s ancestry DNA test uncovered a startling truth; he had nine half-siblings. These connections all linked back to his mother’s former doctor. Mary Ellen Lukezich, along with her late husband Thomas Laedtke, consulted Dr. Frederick Dettmann in the early 1980s. The Wisconsin couple sought help for fertility issues and chose artificial insemination using donor sperm per the doctor’s recommendation.

Dettmann proposed using sperm from a medical student donor. Lukezich recalls assurances that the donor was unlikely to donate again, was from out of state, and matched her and her husband’s physical characteristics. At the time, Lukezich said she was willing to follow the doctor’s suggestions blindly, motivated by her strong desire to become a mother.

The couple kept the decision to use donor sperm private. Lukezich explained, “This was our personal road, and no one needed to know. I got pregnant, everyone was happy, and that was the end of the story.” Though she attempted another pregnancy, it did not happen.

The truth emerged decades later when their son Joseph submitted his DNA for genetic testing. He received an unexpected email from Ancestry, the testing company, revealing a half-sister. Investigating further, he discovered numerous suggested half-siblings.

When Joseph contacted his mother to share the unexpected findings, he learned for the first time about the use of donor sperm in his conception. His mother was horrified to learn Dr. Dettmann might have used his own sperm.

Joseph connected the dots to Dettmann through genealogy tools provided by Ancestry. “My mother screamed,” he recalled when he revealed the possible truth to her. Initially, Joseph wished his late father were alive to face the ordeal with them.

As Joseph comprehended the situation, feelings of disgust and betrayal emerged. He expressed a desire to hold Dettmann accountable for the pain inflicted on his mother, who describes feeling violated by the experience.

Mary Ellen Lukezich stated, “I feel like I’ve been raped. It’s not right. I want other women to feel okay about coming forward with this.”

“There is no question in my mind that this man was a serial predator of women,” said Al Foeckler, their attorney.

Since the revelation, multiple women have contacted their attorney alleging uncomfortable interactions with Dettmann dating back to the 1970s. Dettmann retired in the 1990s and now resides in Arizona. His attorney did not respond to requests for comment but acknowledged the awareness of allegations while citing patient privacy laws restrict detailed responses.

Records reveal a 1985 police report from a man alleging Dettmann assaulted his wife during a gynecological exam. Dettmann denied the allegations and authorities pursued no charges due to insufficient evidence. All related records were destroyed as per the laws of the era, and no current investigations exist.

Attorney Sean Gaynor, speaking for Dettmann, insists Dettmann has no recollection of the events from nearly 50 years ago and is unaware of evidence supporting these allegations. He asserts Dettmann faced no disciplinary action, lawsuits, or ethical complaints during his medical career.