Arizona Mother Recounts Horror of Toddler Found Breathing in Morgue

An Arizona mother is sharing her harrowing experience after her toddler son was declared dead at a hospital, only to be discovered breathing hours later in the facility's morgue. Alexus Fiordilino described February 8 as the worst day of her life when her 18-month-old son, Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino, was found unresponsive in their home's swimming pool.

Alexus and her husband, Angelo, performed CPR on Vincent before he was transported to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. Approximately one hour after their arrival, a doctor pronounced the child dead. "I just wanted help," Alexus told ABC 15, recounting her initial hope that the hospital staff would provide aid.

More than five hours after Vincent was declared deceased, the medical examiner's transport team arrived at the hospital. It was during this time that they discovered the toddler was still alive. "He ended up in the morgue. He was alone," Alexus stated, expressing her anguish over her son's situation.

The family is now raising questions about the actions of the emergency room doctor, Dr. Aryan Toosi. According to Alexus, Dr. Toosi approached her shortly after Vincent's arrival, explaining that his pH levels were too acidic, suggesting that any resuscitation would lead to suffering. Alexus recounted begging for her son to be saved and noting how cold he felt.

Her mother-in-law then reportedly heard Vincent breathing, a sound medical staff attributed to agonal breathing, a reflex following severe oxygen deprivation. However, a police report previously obtained by the Daily Mail details that other hospital staff also appeared to notice signs of life. An officer reportedly overheard a nurse say, "I have a pulse," and saw other staff attempting to revive Vincent.

When the officer informed Dr. Toosi of what he had heard, the physician allegedly responded assertively, stating he was the doctor and should be allowed to proceed. The officer's report indicates that Dr. Toosi then instructed staff to stop life-saving measures and declared the time of death at 6:20 p.m. Alexus and Angelo were reportedly told to say goodbye to their son six minutes later.

The officer also observed Vincent's chest rising and falling, which staff explained as gas leaving the body. Later, when the child was being moved to the morgue, another officer reportedly observed what appeared to be another gasp. The officer entering the morgue noted a similar observation about an hour later.

Records indicate that Dr. Toosi cited Vincent's blood gas results as a reason for his decision to pronounce the toddler dead and for not performing temperature checks or warming measures. However, medical records suggest the doctor did not receive these test results until 6:38 p.m., 18 minutes after pronouncing Vincent dead.

Upon discovery that Vincent was alive, he was airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital. An MRI confirmed he suffered extensive brain damage and will require lifelong care. "He was alone. He was alone for five-and-a-half hours. How do you do that to a baby?" Alexus questioned.

The family's attorney, John Brewer, stated that the hospital and doctors need to "make it right for the child," citing warning signs and missteps in the care provided.

A spokesperson for Dignity Health, which operates Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, acknowledged the situation as "heartbreaking" but declined to comment on patient care due to privacy laws, emphasizing that patient safety is their priority.

Dr. Toosi's attorney, Scott Holden, stated that the doctor's "thoughts are with the young patient and family" and that he wishes the child "continued healing and recovery." He added that due to pending litigation and privacy laws, details of the care could not be discussed.

The Gilbert Police Department concluded that the gathered facts did not establish probable cause for criminal conduct by medical personnel and referred the case to the Attorney General's Office for review.