Toddler Declared Dead Found Alive in Arizona
A toddler discovered in a backyard pool in a Phoenix suburb was pronounced dead but later found breathing in a hospital morgue. According to police records, two Gilbert police officers detected signs of life multiple times, yet the child was still moved to the hospital’s cold room following treatment.
The incident occurred when first responders arrived at the home around 5:30 p.m. on February 8. They provided emergency assistance before taking the 18-month-old boy to the hospital, where he was declared dead about an hour later. However, five hours after the initial pronouncement, police were informed the child was breathing and he was airlifted to another hospital. He ultimately survived and was released.
Parents Face Potential Charges
Gilbert police recommend negligence charges against the parents due to a strong marijuana odor at the home and open doors that gave unsupervised access to the pool. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case but offered no further comment.
In 911 calls, two relatives reported the child had been pulled from the pool, with frantic voices heard in the background indicating the urgency of the situation. An Associated Press photographer found no one at the home when attempting to visit.
Hospital Response and Legal Considerations
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where the child was initially taken, stated they conducted a thorough review of the care provided. The hospital expressed that it was a heartbreaking situation but chose not to release more details.
Dr. Aryan Toosi, involved in the case, indicated through attorney Scott Holden that more information remains to be shared both factually and medically.
A GoFundMe page was created to help the family with medical expenses, noting the toddler would need extensive therapy. “Thank you for your prayers, your kindness, and your support for baby Vincent—our miracle fighter,” the page states.
Similar Incidents and Expert Thoughts
This case is not isolated. A similar incident occurred in Southfield, Michigan, in 2020 when Timesha Beauchamp was declared dead but later found alive at a funeral home. She subsequently died two months later, with her family winning a $3.25 million negligence lawsuit.
Dr. Judy Melinek, a forensic pathologist in San Francisco not connected to the Arizona case, explains such mistaken death declarations are rare but possible. “It’s more common in elderly people than in children,” Melinek said, noting the criteria of death require an absence of heartbeat, breathing, and brain or neurologic activity.
She emphasizes that declaring death depends on the skill and training of the doctor, as well as hospital policies. Issues like inexperience or policy failure may lead to such mistakes, but she stresses once declared dead, people typically do not revive.