Arizona Baby Found Alive in Hospital Morgue After Four Hours

An 18-month-old boy in Arizona suffered devastating, life-altering injuries after hospital staff declared him dead and transferred him to the hospital morgue, where an employee discovered him alive nearly four hours later.

The incident began on the afternoon of 8 February, when Vincent wandered out of sight during a family gathering and was found unconscious in a backyard swimming pool. His relatives immediately began administering first aid until emergency responders arrived and rushed him to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where medical staff continued resuscitation efforts.

According to police reports, a nurse detected a pulse and alerted the medical team. However, the attending physician, Arian Tousi, reportedly refused to reassess the child. Citing his medical training and blood gas measurements that he believed were incompatible with life, he allegedly dismissed signs that the boy remained alive, halted further interventions and officially declared him dead. He even requested a minute of silence.

Later, a police officer reportedly heard sounds resembling attempts to breathe and alerted hospital staff. Despite the warning, staff transferred Vincent to the hospital morgue between 7:18 pm and 7:23 pm.

The toddler remained there for approximately four hours. At around 11:30 pm, an employee from the medical examiner’s office arrived to collect the body and was shocked to discover that Vincent was breathing and still alive. Staff immediately arranged an air transfer to a hospital in Phoenix for specialised treatment.

Toddler faces lifelong care

Eight months after the incident, Vincent is now two years old, but his condition remains devastating. The four hours he spent without medical treatment in the morgue caused catastrophic consequences.

He can no longer walk, speak, sit independently or swallow. He receives all his nutrition through a feeding tube and will require lifelong care.

His mother, Alexus Fiordilino, says the child is no longer the same baby she once knew, who loved climbing and waving at everyone.

The family has been cleared of any wrongdoing in connection with the swimming pool accident. They are now pursuing legal action against the hospital and its staff, seeking justice for what they describe as a catastrophic medical error that has permanently changed their son’s life.

(Source: AMNA)

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