Arizona Mom Recounts Horror After Toddler Found Alive in Morgue

An Arizona mother is recounting the traumatic experience of her 18-month-old son being pronounced dead, only to be found alive hours later in a hospital morgue. Alexus Fiordilino told ABC 15 that on February 8, her son, Vincent, was found unresponsive in their home swimming pool.

After being transported to the hospital, Fiordilino states that doctors informed her that even if Vincent were resuscitated, his quality of life would be severely diminished, citing high acidity levels in his blood. A doctor reportedly advised that it would be best to cease resuscitation efforts, stating, "He’d be suffering. So I think it’s best that I call the time for it." Fiordilino recalled her son being "ice cold" during the resuscitation attempts.

Despite these declarations, Fiordilino’s mother-in-law noticed signs of breathing, which hospital staff dismissed as agonal breathing, a reflex occurring in the brainstem. However, a police report obtained by the Daily Mail indicates that an officer at one point heard a nurse exclaim, "I have a pulse," and that other staff quickly moved to assist in reviving Vincent. The officer also noted that the child’s chest was rising and falling and observed what appeared to be gasps.

Approximately six minutes after the officer's observations, Vincent was declared dead. Following the discovery that the child was alive, he was airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. Doctors there determined that Vincent suffered significant brain damage, which will impact him for the rest of his life.

"He was alone,” Alexus said. “He was alone for five-and-a-half hours. How do you do that to a baby?"

A representative for Dignity Health, the parent organization for Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, stated, "out of respect for the patient’s privacy, we cannot share any information and we are unable to comment on those involved in patient care. Patient Safety and exceptional care are our highest priorities."

An attorney for the doctor involved told the Daily Mail that the physician's "commitment to delivering high-quality care has always been rooted in a desire to provide healing, safety and comfort to his community." The attorney added, "Due to pending litigation and privacy laws, we cannot speak to the details of the care provided at this time."

Gilbert Police Sgt. Jordan Tuckenbrod confirmed that the investigation did not establish probable cause for criminal conduct by medical personnel, and no charges were filed. The case is being referred to the Attorney General’s Office for review. The timeline for this review is not yet known.