Toddler Declared Dead After Pool Incident Found Alive in Morgue

A tragic incident in Gilbert, Arizona, where a toddler was declared dead after a pool accident, took a miraculous turn when the child was found alive hours later in a hospital morgue. According to police records released recently, the 18-month-old boy was initially treated at a local hospital and pronounced dead about an hour after being pulled from the water.

Emergency responders arrived at the scene around 5:30 p.m. on February 8, following reports of a drowning. Despite attempts to revive the child, he was taken to the hospital's morgue, where staff later noted signs of life.

Police reports indicate that two officers observed potential signs of life multiple times during the child's treatment. However, hospital staff proceeded with standard protocols, leading to the declaration of death. Dr. Aryan Toosi, who was involved in the case, reportedly expressed frustration at the situation, emphasizing the need for medical professionals to follow their training.

Approximately five hours after being pronounced dead, the local medical examiner's office discovered the boy breathing in the morgue. He was subsequently transferred to another hospital, where he recovered and has since been released.

Authorities are now investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, with Gilbert police recommending negligence charges against the child's parents. Investigators noted a strong smell of marijuana in the home and open doors that may have allowed the child unsupervised access to the pool.

The Maricopa County Attorney's Office is currently reviewing the case but has not provided further comments. Family members expressed distress during 911 calls, reporting that the child was unconscious after being pulled from the pool.

Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where the toddler was initially treated, stated that it is conducting a thorough review of the care provided and described the situation as “heartbreaking.”

Scott Holden, the attorney representing Dr. Toosi, indicated that there are additional facts and medical details yet to be disclosed regarding the case.

A GoFundMe page created to assist the family with medical expenses highlights the child's need for extensive therapy, referring to him as a “miracle fighter.”

While cases of individuals being mistakenly declared dead are rare, experts note that they can occur, particularly in situations involving shallow or intermittent breathing.

Reported by HarborBeat based on WMAR-2 News (source).