Toddler Survives After Being Declared Dead in Phoenix

A toddler found lifeless in a backyard pool in a Phoenix suburb was pronounced dead, only to be discovered breathing hours later in a hospital morgue. This incident, detailed in recently released police records, has raised significant questions about hospital procedures and parental responsibility.

Discovery and Initial Response

Two Gilbert police officers noticed possible signs of life in the child multiple times. Despite this, the child was moved to the hospital’s morgue after initial treatment. An exchange noted in the police documents quoted Dr. Aryan Toosi telling an officer, “I went to medical school for a reason.”

Responders arrived at the scene around 5:30 p.m. on February 8 following reports of a drowning. Life-saving efforts were made and the boy was declared dead approximately one hour after reaching the hospital. Remarkably, five hours later, authorities learned the child was breathing. He was then transferred to another hospital, ultimately recovering and being released.

Legal and Parental Concerns

The boy’s parents are now under investigation, with Gilbert police recommending negligence charges. A strong odor of marijuana was detected at the home, and open doors possibly allowed unsupervised pool access. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case, offering no further comment as of Monday.

Frantic 911 calls revealed two relatives reporting the child’s condition, with background noises of panic and distress. No one responded at the residence when an Associated Press photographer visited.

Hospital Reaction

Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where the toddler was initially treated, stated it conducted a comprehensive review to learn from the incident and improve future care. Describing the episode as “heartbreaking,” the hospital withheld further details.

Further Developments

A local medical examiner’s team discovered the toddler breathing when they arrived at the hospital’s cold room, prompting an urgent transfer to another facility. Lawyer Scott Holden, representing Dr. Toosi, indicated more details are yet to be revealed.

A GoFundMe campaign set up to aid the toddler’s family highlighted the need for extensive therapy. “Thank you for your prayers, your kindness, and your support for baby Vincent — our miracle fighter,” the page says.

KNXV-TV, an ABC affiliate in Phoenix, was the first to report this story.

Rare but Occurring Incidents

Instances of individuals being mistakenly declared dead are unusual, but they exist. A notable case was in Southfield, Michigan, where 20-year-old Timesha Beauchamp was found alive in a body bag, leading to a $3.25 million settlement with her family after her subsequent death.

Dr. Judy Melinek, a San Francisco forensic pathologist, explained that such errors are more common with the elderly. She noted that determining death relies on detecting no heartbeat, breathing, or brain activity. Cases where shallow or intermittent breathing is mistaken can result in premature declarations.