A young child was discovered alive in a hospital morgue several hours after being pronounced dead by a doctor following a traumatic incident involving near-drowning.
The toddler, an 18-month-old named Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino, was found submerged in his family’s pool in Gilbert, Arizona, during a gathering on February 8, coinciding with a Super Bowl event. First responders arrived at the scene at 5:20 pm and swiftly transported the child to Mercy Gilbert Medical Centre.
Despite doctors declaring him deceased less than an hour later, a surprising turn of events revealed that the child was still breathing while inside the hospital’s morgue. He was promptly airlifted to another medical facility for urgent care and has since been discharged.
An investigation by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has been initiated to examine the circumstances surrounding the six-hour ordeal and the events leading up to Vincent’s near-drowning. Concerns have been raised regarding the decision to declare the child dead, with reports indicating that signs of life were observed by officers.
Footage from a body camera captured the moment when medical staff pronounced the child dead, despite alleged signs of continued life. The incident has prompted a closer look at the actions taken by the attending physician, Dr. Aryan Toosi, who reportedly disregarded concerns raised by authorities.
The child’s parents, who were informed of his passing, were shocked to learn he was still exhibiting signs of life even after being declared deceased. Subsequent events at the hospital, including another audible gasp heard by a detective, further highlighted the extraordinary nature of the situation.
Following the child’s miraculous revival, questions have been raised about the circumstances that led to the near-tragedy, including the potential involvement of the parents. Investigators have suggested that the parents may face child abuse charges, attributing the incident to possible impairment due to substance use.
Mercy Gilbert Medical Centre has conducted an internal investigation into the matter, describing it as a heartbreaking situation and emphasizing the importance of learning from the incident to enhance their care protocols. Meanwhile, Dr. Toosi’s attorney has offered a partial defense of his client, citing ongoing investigations and patient confidentiality.
While the child’s identity is not disclosed in official reports, his family has shared their story via a GoFundMe page. Updates indicate that Vincent is currently reliant on a ventilator for breathing assistance, with hopes for his recovery while requiring ongoing medical monitoring and therapy.
