An 18-month-old boy was found alive in a hospital morgue nearly six hours after being pronounced dead at a medical center in Gilbert, Arizona. The child had been rushed to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center on Super Bowl Sunday after being discovered unresponsive in his family's pool.
Despite concerns from police officers who believed the toddler showed signs of life, medical staff declared him dead. A police report indicates an officer attempted to alert the doctor who pronounced the child deceased, but the doctor dismissed the officer's input, stating his medical expertise superseded the officer's. The officer reportedly heard a nurse mention the toddler had a pulse, and observed audible and visible air release from the child.
"It also began to sound like [the child] was gasping for air," an officer wrote in the report, describing observations made over the next hour. Medical staff then moved the boy to the morgue, where an officer continued to observe what appeared to be gasping or air release.
Several hours later, the medical examiner discovered the toddler was still alive. An MRI subsequently revealed that the boy had sustained brain damage and will require lifelong care.
Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center issued a statement acknowledging the situation. "This is a heartbreaking situation," the statement read. "We immediately conducted a thorough review of all aspects of the care provided to learn what happened and to make meaningful changes to strengthen our care. Out of respect for the patient’s privacy, we cannot discuss details. We continue to work with the family and their representative. Patient safety and exceptional care is our highest priority."