An 18-month-old toddler declared dead after a near-drowning in a Phoenix suburb was found breathing hours later in a hospital morgue, according to recently released police records. The child, pulled unresponsive from a backyard pool on February 8, was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m. at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center before being discovered alive around 11:20 p.m. by a medical examiner's transporter. The boy survived and has since been released from the hospital.
Police and Hospital Response
Gilbert police officers reported observing possible signs of life multiple times, including gasping and audible breaths, but the child was still taken to the hospital's "cold room." Dr. Aryan Toosi, the attending physician, declared the time of death after stating, "If there's no objections, I'd like to call time of death," according to bodycam footage. The hospital has since conducted a review of its care protocols.
Investigation and Charges
Police are recommending negligence charges against the toddler's parents, citing an open pool door and a strong odor of marijuana at the home. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office is reviewing the case. First responders were called to the home around 5:30 p.m. after the child was found face-down in the pool during a Super Bowl gathering. Relatives reported the child was unconscious in 911 calls.
Medical Rarity and Protocols
The case highlights the extreme rarity of spontaneous return of circulation after CPR is stopped, with medical literature citing 65 such cases over nearly four decades. Doctors follow strict protocols, including a cardiopulmonary death exam, to confirm death before pronouncing it. The child's medical records were not included in the police report, leaving unclear what transpired before the morgue discovery.
Public and Legal Reactions
The toddler's parents expressed belief that their son was still breathing "based on the appearance of him gasping for air," according to the police report. The case has raised questions about hospital protocols and parental supervision, with no further comment from the Maricopa County Attorney's Office as of Monday.