Parents Accuse Doctor of Negligence After Toddler Found Alive in Morgue
A two-year-old Arizona boy declared dead was discovered alive hours later, leading his parents to claim a doctor's oversight caused his severe brain damage.
The parents of a toddler who was mistakenly declared dead and later found alive in a morgue are accusing the attending physician of negligence that they say resulted in severe, lifelong brain damage. Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino, 2, was found unresponsive in a backyard swimming pool during a Super Bowl party on February 8 and was taken to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.
According to the family, Dr. Aryan Toosi pronounced Vincent dead just 18 minutes after his arrival at the hospital. He was subsequently transported to a morgue, where a medical transport worker discovered the child was alive and moving approximately five hours later. Police body camera footage reportedly captured the initial pronouncement of death.
Alexus and Angelo Fiordilino, Vincent's parents, allege that hospital staff ignored their concerns that their son was still breathing. "I can’t believe Vincent was all alone in there," Alexus Fiordilino told The Post. "It haunts me still to this day when I think about it. I hate that he went through five hours in a morgue by himself, struggling to breathe."
During the initial emergency response at their home, the parents performed CPR before paramedics arrived. They expressed hope that the hospital would provide the necessary life-saving measures. However, Alexus Fiordilino stated that Dr. Toosi presented the decision to call a time of death in a nonchalant manner, citing high pH levels in Vincent's blood as indicative of suffering and non-viable life.
While the parents were saying goodbye, several family members reported hearing Vincent breathe, but hospital staff allegedly dismissed these observations as normal. Police reports indicate that nurses and officers also noted signs of life. When an officer attempted to inform Dr. Toosi about a detected pulse, the doctor reportedly responded dismissively, asserting his medical authority.
Dr. Toosi then instructed hospital staff to cease resuscitation efforts, officially pronouncing Vincent deceased at 6:20 p.m. The family later took Vincent home to say their final goodbyes.
Nearly six hours after the initial pronouncement, a detective informed the parents that Vincent was found alive in the morgue. A medical transport worker, accompanied by a security guard, discovered the toddler moving under a sheet. The child's attorney, John Brewer, stated that Vincent was gasping for air and in shock, having survived for hours without adequate medical care.
Vincent was rushed to Phoenix Children's Hospital, where he was placed on a ventilator. Initial medical assessments indicated potential kidney and liver failure, but these organs later recovered. However, MRI results revealed significant brain damage due to prolonged oxygen deprivation, necessitating lifelong care.
"There’s no happy ending," Alexus Fiordilino said. "If the doctor didn’t let his ego get in the way of doing his job, he would have listened to other people and Vincent would be okay."
Dr. Toosi's attorney, Scott Holden, stated, "Dr. Toosi’s thoughts are with the young patient and family, and he wishes the child continued healing and recovery. His commitment to delivering high-quality care has always been rooted in a desire to provide healing, safety and comfort to his community. Due to pending litigation and patient privacy laws, we cannot speak to the details of the care provided at this time."
The Fiordilinos are planning to file a lawsuit against the hospital and Dr. Toosi. Their attorney contends that the doctor's actions and the hospital's staff's failure to act constitute gross negligence and a disregard for human life. A spokesperson for Mercy Gilbert Medical Center issued a statement expressing sympathy for the situation and emphasizing their commitment to patient safety and care, while also citing privacy regulations for their inability to comment further.