Our Father is the latest true crime documentary to be released on Netflix and like many that have come before it, it has captivated true crime fans around the world. The film is about a fertility doctor who secretly impregnated countless women over a 30-year period.
The film is just over one and a half hours and explores the crimes of the doctor as the truth unravels, while also following some of the victims who learn more about how they were conceived and the many siblings they have.
It was released on the streaming service on Wednesday and is currently sitting at the top of Netflix's top 10 chart. Here is everything that you need to know about the doctor and what he did that has horrified viewers.
Who is Donald Cline in Netflix’s Our Father?
Donald Cline is a doctor who secretly impregnated women without their consent when they sought his help for fertility treatment. He is said to be a devoted Christian, dedicated church elder and upstanding pillar of the community, before shocking revelations came to light.
He lied to his patients, telling them sperm came from medical student donors. In reality the truth was that he used his own sperm to father nearly 100 children, in one of the biggest breaches of trust the world has ever seen.
After being investigated, Cline was convicted twice on charges of obstruction of justice in 2017. He admitted to non-consensual insemination of patients, pleaded guilty and lost his medical licence.
He did not serve jail time as Indiana doesn’t have any relevant fertility fraud laws in place. Cline is retired and thought to be living in Indiana today.
How did Donald Cline get caught in Our Father?
Sickening revelations came to light when Jacoba Ballard started digging into her heritage in 2014. She took a DNA test and initially discovered she had seven half-siblings.
As her investigation wore on, she came to learn that her DNA matched multiple members of Donald Cline’s family. The current number of children fathered by Donald Cline is 94 although this number continues to rise as more people delve into their heritage.
Viewers of the horrifying show have been quick to voice their shock on Twitter.
@KrullConquerer said: “How many half-brothers and sisters married with possible genetic problems amongst their children and further down the line. This is a nightmare scenario for everyone.”
Mary wrote: “I was literally shaking during parts of it… f_cking furious.”
LondiMarlinsFan said: “Oh man as someone with a debilitating auto-immune disease these offspring have all my sympathy. What was he taking? What were the options for RA (rheumatoid arthritis) back then? Methotrexate? Would that even be allowed in a donor?”
MoniLove said: “I'm so disgusted right now with how men are allowed to make decisions about our bodies without our consent. #OurFather"
An incredulous @sarcasmic92 wrote: “HOW is this NOT a crime???”
Our Father is currently streaming on Netflix. Runtime: 1h 37m. Age rating: 15.
