A toddler in Gilbert, Arizona, was wrongly declared dead and spent five hours in a hospital morgue before being found alive, according to a police report. The incident occurred on February 8 when the 18-month-old, Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino, was found face down in his family's backyard pool.

According to investigators, the child's parents, Alexus and Angelo Fiordilino, had been in the garage of their $750,000 home smoking marijuana. They then moved to the backyard to watch television. Approximately 15 minutes later, Alexus realized Vincent was missing. She found him in the pool, pulled him out, and began CPR. Emergency services were called, and the child was transported to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.

There, Dr. Aryan Toosi pronounced Vincent dead at 6:20 p.m. However, approximately five and a half hours later, a medical professional discovered the toddler alive and breathing in the hospital's morgue. The child was subsequently airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital, where an MRI confirmed he suffered severe brain damage and would require lifelong care.

Police noted that the garage where the parents admitted to smoking marijuana smelled of the substance. Blood tests confirmed the presence of cannabis in both parents' systems; they did not have alcohol in their systems at the time. Based on their admissions, Alexus and Angelo Fiordilino were charged with child or vulnerable adult abuse. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office will review the case for final charging decisions.

Family members have stated that Vincent has shown signs of recovery. His grandmother, Yaleen Perez, who launched a GoFundMe to support his medical expenses, reported that initial MRIs showed potential damage but a subsequent scan indicated no brain damage. She described him as a "miracle baby" and noted that doctors are monitoring him for minor balance issues due to a small area of bruising.

Mercy Gilbert Medical Center issued a statement acknowledging the "heartbreaking situation" and confirmed they have conducted a thorough review of the care provided to identify areas for improvement. The hospital stated that patient safety and care are their highest priorities and that they are working with the family.