In brief
In February, an 18‑month‑old boy in Arizona was found unresponsive in a pool and declared dead at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. A police report later revealed the child was still breathing when a transporter arrived from the Medical Examiner’s Office and was transferred to another facility. The case highlights concerns over emergency response protocols and the importance of precision in declaring death. Authorities are investigating potential negligence charges against the parents amid missing medical records.
Toddler Declared Dead, Later Found Alive in Hospital Cold Room
When a pair of parents in Gilbert, Arizona, reported their 18‑month‑old son face‑down in a backyard pool, first responders promptly began resuscitation. After an hour, the boy was transported to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and declared dead. Yet a police report released days later said the staff discovered the child was still breathing in the hospital’s cold room.
According to the paper, a highway officer mentioned signs of life to the attending physician, Dr. Aryan Toosi. The doctor replied that he would handle the matter, and about an hour into the transfer the patient was pronounced dead. Five hours later, a transporter from the Medical Examiner’s Office appeared and found the toddler breathing, leading to his relocation to another hospital, where he has since been released.
The incident has sparked calls for a review of emergency protocols and potential negligence charges against the parents. Police noted a strong smell of marijuana at the residence, raising concerns over unsupervised access to the pool. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has yet to decide whether to press charges.
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center released a statement promising a thorough review of the care provided and acknowledging the tragedy’s impact. The hospital declined to disclose further details about the case or medical records. The doctor’s attorney declined comment, citing patient confidentiality.
