Arizona toddler found alive in hospital morgue after declared dead from drowning
Police records say multiple warnings were ignored before the toddler was sent to the morgue, and he was later found breathing by a medical examiner transporter.
- An 18-month-old toddler was mistakenly declared dead following a backyard pool accident in Gilbert, Ariz., only to be found breathing hours later inside the hospital morgue, according to police records released Monday.
- First responders performed life-saving measures before Dr. Aryan Toosi pronounced the boy dead at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, though police officers reported observing potential signs of life multiple times before the child was moved to the 'cold room.'
- Medical examiner staff discovered the boy breathing five hours later, prompting an emergency airlift to Phoenix Children's Hospital, while Gilbert police recommended criminal negligence charges against the parents, citing open doors and a strong odor of marijuana.
- Mercy Gilbert Medical Center called the incident a 'heartbreaking situation' and confirmed an internal review, while the Maricopa County Attorney's Office stated it is currently reviewing the case and declined further comment.
- According to forensic pathologist Dr. Judy Melinek, mistaken death declarations are rare but can stem from shallow, intermittent breathing or policy failures, with a similar 2020 case in Michigan resulting in a $3.25 million settlement.
216 Articles
216 Articles
Toddler Declared Dead After Arizona Pool Drowning Found Alive In Hospital Morgue
Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino Image by Yaleen PerezGoFundMe pageAn 18-month-old Arizona boy who was declared dead after a near-drowning was discovered alive in a hospital morgue, prompting multiple investigations into the medical response and the circumstances surrounding the incident. The child, Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino, was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m. on February 8 after being taken to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center following a backyard pool inc…
A young child was found alive in a morgue - several hours after he was pronounced dead at the hospital. Now authorities in Arizona are investigating how this could happen.
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Family of toddler found alive in morgue after being declared dead plans legal action
The family of 1-year-old Vincent Fiordilino plans to sue Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center after the child was declared dead but found alive in the morgue hours later.
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