Toddler Declared Dead by Mistake Was Found Breathing in Hospital Morgue Hours Later, Mom Says

An Arizona mother is speaking out after her 18-month-old son was mistakenly declared dead following a near-drowning incident, only to be discovered alive and breathing inside a hospital morgue more than five hours later.

Alexus Fiordilino says her family repeatedly questioned whether her son, Vincent Fiordilino, was still breathing after a doctor pronounced him dead at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert, Arizona, on February 8, 2026.

According to the family, their concerns were brushed aside by hospital staff who allegedly told them that the sounds they heard were normal. Vincent was later found alive by personnel from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office, prompting an emergency transfer to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

The family is now questioning the medical decisions made that evening and preparing legal action against the hospital and the doctor involved.

Family Heard Sounds of Breathing After Doctor Declared Him Dead

The incident began during a Super Bowl gathering at the family’s home, where Vincent was found floating face-down in a backyard swimming pool. He was rushed to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center for emergency treatment.

According to police records, the toddler was pronounced dead at approximately 6:20 p.m. The doctor, identified as Aryan Toosi, reportedly cited concerns about the child’s blood acidity when explaining the decision to stop resuscitation efforts.

Alexus recalled being devastated when she was told her son could not be saved. She said she begged for him to come back before saying goodbye.

But the family soon became concerned that Vincent might still be alive.

Alexus told local television station KNXV that her mother-in-law hugged the child and noticed what sounded like breathing. When relatives raised the concern with staff, they were allegedly told that the sounds were normal.

Police officers at the hospital also documented apparent signs of life, including audible and visible releases of air that sounded like gasping.

According to the police report, a nurse had also indicated that a pulse could be detected. An officer said he attempted to alert the doctor, who allegedly insisted that he was the physician and should be allowed to proceed with his decision.

Toddler Discovered Alive More Than Five Hours Later

Vincent was moved to the hospital’s morgue, also described as a cold room, at approximately 7:23 p.m.

Around 11:52 p.m., when a medical examiner’s transport team arrived to retrieve him, personnel discovered that the toddler was alive and breathing, according to police records.

He was immediately transferred to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for further treatment.

Alexus said the thought of her young son being alone in the morgue for approximately five and a half hours continues to haunt her.

The police report described Vincent’s death declaration as having been made “in error.” The discovery raised serious questions about how the child’s condition had been assessed and why the concerns raised by relatives and officers had not led to an earlier reassessment.

Medical Records Raise Questions About Doctor’s Decision

The family’s attorney, John Brewer, said a review of Vincent’s medical records raised concerns about the timing of a blood-gas test cited in the doctor’s decision.

According to records reviewed by ABC15, the doctor declared Vincent dead at 6:20 p.m., while the test results reportedly were not received until 6:38 p.m.

The family’s attorney is questioning how those results could have informed the decision if they were not available until after the recorded time of death.

The doctor’s attorney has declined to discuss the specific medical care provided, citing pending legal proceedings and patient privacy. In a statement, the attorney said the doctor’s thoughts were with Vincent and his family and that he wished the child continued healing and recovery.

Dignity Health, the hospital’s operator, described the situation as heartbreaking and said patient safety and exceptional care remained its highest priorities. The organization declined to comment on the details of the case because of patient privacy.

Family Says the Consequences Continue

Although Vincent survived, his family says the ordeal has had lasting consequences.

According to the family’s legal representatives, the toddler suffered a severe brain injury and significant neurological difficulties. He has required physical therapy and ongoing medical care, and his long-term needs remain a concern.

His mother said the experience has been devastating, emphasizing that the family’s ordeal did not end when he was found alive.

The family believes the hours Vincent spent in the morgue may have worsened his condition. That allegation remains part of the family’s concerns and has not been established as a legal finding.

No Criminal Charges Filed Against Medical Staff

The case has drawn scrutiny from authorities, but Gilbert police said their investigation did not establish probable cause of criminal conduct by medical personnel. No criminal charges were forwarded against the doctor or other hospital staff.

Separately, prosecutors declined to pursue child-abuse charges against Vincent’s parents after reviewing the circumstances of the original drowning. Authorities said the available evidence did not establish a sufficient basis for criminal charges.

The family’s attorney has said he intends to pursue a formal complaint against both the doctor and the hospital. The legal process is expected to examine the treatment Vincent received, the timing of the test results and the events surrounding his declaration of death.

For Alexus, the central question remains how her son could have been declared dead and then found alive hours later. She says the family wants accountability and answers about what happened to Vincent.

Sources: Law&Crime