Arizona Toddler Found Alive Five Hours After Being Declared Dead in Hospital Morgue

An 18-month-old boy in Arizona, United States, was discovered alive more than five hours after doctors had declared him dead following a near-drowning incident. The case, which occurred in February 2026, has drawn attention after police records detailing the events were released this week. Authorities are investigating the incident, while the hospital has completed an internal review.

The toddler has since been identified by multiple US media outlets as Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino.

Arizona Toddler Declared Dead After Near-Drowning Incident

The incident took place on February 8, 2026, during a Super Bowl gathering at a home in Gilbert, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix.

First responders were dispatched to the home at approximately 5:30 p.m. after receiving reports of a drowning.

According to investigators, the toddler was found face down in a backyard swimming pool. Emergency medical personnel began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) at the scene before transporting him to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, as reported in BBC.

Hospital staff continued resuscitation efforts in the emergency department. After these attempts were unsuccessful, the attending physician, Dr. Aryan Toosi pronounced the child dead at 6:20 p.m.

According to police body camera footage referenced in the police report, Dr. Toosi stated, "If there are no objections, I'd like to call time of death," before recording the time of death at 6:20 p.m.

According to the police report, officers informed the attending physician, Dr. Aryan Toosi, that they believed the child was showing signs of life. As reported in BBC, Dr. Toosi replied,

Child Found Alive in Hospital Morgue More Than Five Hours Later

More than five hours after the death declaration, staff from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office arrived at the hospital to collect the child's body.

More than five hours after the death declaration, staff from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office arrived at the hospital to collect the child's body from the hospital's "cold room," which serves as the morgue.

The child was found breathing at approximately 11:52 p.m., nearly six hours after being pronounced dead. Medical staff immediately responded, and the child was airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital for emergency treatment, according to CNN.

Police Records Describe Reports of Possible Signs of Life

According to ABC News, recently released police documents state that several people reported possible signs of life before and after the physician declared the child dead. The recently released police report also includes body camera footage documenting officers' interactions with hospital staff during the incident.

According to the report:

• A nurse informed the attending physician that she believed she had detected a pulse.

• Police officers reported hearing gasping sounds while they were present in the emergency department, hospital staff told them that these were agonal respirations, involuntary gasping movements that can occur as air and gases are expelled from the body during the dying process.

• Despite these observations, the physician completed the death declaration after evaluating the child.

The attorney representing the physician Scott Holden, has stated that additional facts are expected to emerge during legal proceedings and declined to comment further because the investigation is ongoing.

Toddler Survived Following Transfer to Another Hospital

According to ABC News, after being transferred to Phoenix Children's Hospital, the toddler received advanced medical care.

Police confirmed that the child survived and has since been discharged from the hospital.

Authorities have not released official details regarding his long-term neurological prognosis, while the family has said he continues to recover and will require ongoing therapy. According to the family's fundraising page, Vincent continues to recover and is expected to require ongoing therapy and rehabilitation. Hospital officials have not publicly commented on his long-term prognosis.

Investigation Continues Into Near-Drowning and Hospital Events

The Gilbert Police Department has recommended negligence-related child abuse charges against the child's parents.

According to investigators, officers reported smelling marijuana at the residence and noted that access points to the backyard swimming pool had been left open, allowing the child to enter the area.

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office is reviewing the case and has not announced whether charges will be filed. It is also reviewing the circumstances surrounding the physician's actions, although no charges have been announced.

Meanwhile, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center stated that it conducted an internal review of the incident. A hospital spokesperson described the incident as a "heartbreaking situation." The hospital said it had examined the circumstances surrounding the event to identify opportunities for improving patient care but did not release additional details because of patient privacy laws, as reported in ABC News.

Authorities Continue Reviewing the Case

Police, prosecutors, and hospital officials continue to examine the circumstances surrounding the near-drowning, the medical care provided, and the events that led to the child being discovered alive in the morgue. No final findings have been released, and the investigation remains ongoing.

(Rh/SS/MSM)