An Arizona toddler who was mistakenly declared dead after he nearly drowned in his family’s backyard pool in February was later found alive in the morgue at Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, according to local police.
The toddler, identified as Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino, was just 18 months old when he was found face down in his family’s pool during a Super Bowl party on Feb. 8, according to details from a newly released police report and 911 calls cited by Arizona’s Family.
Fiordilino, who is now nearly 2 years old, was discovered in the pool at around 5:30 p.m., and it was estimated that he was in the water for about 10 to 15 minutes. Police stated in their report that the boy’s parents admitted to smoking marijuana and not watching their son closely during the party when they arrived on the scene in response to a frantic 911 call.
The boy was rushed to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where Dr. A. Toosi pronounced him dead at 6:20 p.m. that day. According to the police report, when Dr. Toosi went to tell the parents their son was dead, a nurse declared, “I have a pulse.” An officer also informed Dr. Toosi of the nurse’s observation. Still, the doctor “arrogantly” said “he was the doctor, he has the medical degree, he went to medical school for a reason, and to let him do his thing,” according to the report.
Police allege that the doctor told hospital staff to stop trying to save the child, and they observed several nurses leave the emergency room in tears after the child was pronounced dead. The report said both the parents and police stated that the child still appeared to be breathing even after he was pronounced dead, but nurses stated it was “agonal breathing.”
The boy was taken to the morgue, but just before midnight, medical examiner staff confirmed he was still alive. He was later transported to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for further care.
A GoFundMe campaign raising funds for the boy’s care also describes how the parents experienced the conflicting pronouncements from the hospital on the same day.
“His devastated parents were sent home in unimaginable grief. But God had other plans. A little after 11:30 p.m., the family received a call no one expected: the medical examiner had detected a faint heartbeat,” the organizer, Yaleen Perez, stated. “Vincent was immediately airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, fighting for his life.”
Perez also stated that “Doctors are taking things slowly, allowing Vincent’s body to guide the pace of his recovery. They are amazed by his strength and have lovingly begun calling him ‘the miracle baby.’”
The boy’s parents are now mulling a lawsuit against Toosi and the hospital, reports Fox 19. His parents could face potential child abuse charges being reviewed by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office.
“This is a heartbreaking situation. We immediately conducted a thorough review of all aspects of the care that was provided to learn what happened and to make meaningful changes to strengthen our care,” a Dignity Health spokesperson told Arizona’s Family. “Out of respect for the patient’s privacy, we cannot discuss details. We continue to work with the family and their representative. Patient safety and exceptional care is our highest priority.”
Contact: [email protected] Follow Leonardo Blair on Twitter: @leoblair Follow Leonardo Blair on Facebook: LeoBlairChristianPost
