An 18-month-old toddler who was declared dead after falling into a swimming pool was discovered alive in a hospital morgue nearly six hours later, according to newly released police records and emergency audio.
Incident Details
Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino fell into the pool at his home in Gilbert, Arizona, on February 8, 2026. His father pulled him from the water and began CPR before paramedics rushed him to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. Despite resuscitation efforts, Dr. Aryan Toosi pronounced him dead at 6:20 p.m., according to documents released this month.
The toddler was placed in a body bag and transferred to the hospital morgue. However, at around 11:45 p.m., a Maricopa County Medical Examiner's transporter arrived to collect the body and noticed the toddler was still breathing when opening the bag. Vincent was rushed back for emergency treatment and then airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital.
Warnings Ignored
The unsealed police records allege multiple warnings were raised and ignored before the toddler was sent to the morgue. A registered nurse at the hospital reportedly told Dr. Toosi she could feel a pulse, according to ABC 15 Arizona. Officers at the scene also claimed they saw Vincent moving and heard him gasping or releasing air.
Dr. Toosi dismissed those concerns, describing the gasps as "agonal breathing," reflexive breaths that can occur after death, and ordered the child be taken to the morgue anyway, according to police documents.
Devastating Outcome
Vincent survived the ordeal but suffered severe and permanent brain damage due to prolonged oxygen deprivation, compounded by spending hours in a cold morgue while still alive, the Daily Mail reported. He is expected to need intensive, lifelong care. His family has launched a GoFundMe appeal to help with astronomical medical costs.
Hospital Investigation
Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center confirmed it had launched a "thorough internal review" into the failure, according to ABC 15 Arizona. However, the hospital has not said whether Dr. Toosi has been suspended, dismissed, or is still working at the facility, citing patient privacy.
