An 18-month-old boy in Arizona was mistakenly declared dead after a near-drowning incident, only to be found alive hours later in a hospital morgue. Police have recommended felony child abuse charges against his parents, who allegedly admitted to using marijuana during a Super Bowl party where the incident occurred.
Investigators say the toddler, Vincent Fiordilino, disappeared from his parents' view during a gathering before being found floating face down in a backyard swimming pool. According to a police report, both parents admitted to smoking marijuana and may have been impaired, contributing to a failure to supervise their son.
After being pulled from the water, Vincent was transported to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead by a physician that evening. The situation took an unexpected turn hours later when hospital staff discovered the toddler was alive and breathing after he had already been transferred to the hospital's morgue. He was subsequently airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital for treatment.
Concerns were raised by responding officers and Vincent's parents at the time, who questioned whether the child had truly died, as they believed he was still showing signs of life. Hospital staff reportedly noted agonal breathing, an involuntary reflex sometimes seen near death, and a nurse later reported detecting a pulse after the child had been pronounced dead. The physician who made the initial determination reportedly maintained their assessment was correct and instructed staff to cease lifesaving measures, despite the expressed concerns.
The Maricopa County Attorney's Office is currently reviewing the Gilbert Police Department's recommendation for felony child abuse charges against the parents. No charges have been filed as of yet.
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center stated that it conducted a thorough review of the care provided following the incident. A spokesperson for Dignity Health, the hospital's parent company, said the review aimed to understand what happened and implement improvements. "Patient safety and exceptional care is our highest priority," the spokesperson said.
A GoFundMe campaign established for the family described Vincent as a "miracle baby." The fundraiser stated that Vincent's kidneys, lungs, and liver began shutting down upon arrival at Phoenix Children's Hospital. While an initial MRI indicated two small areas of potential brain damage, later testing reportedly found no brain damage. The fundraiser notes that Vincent continues to require extensive therapy and ongoing medical monitoring as he recovers.
Dr. Gauthama Soma, a pediatric emergency medicine physician, has offered water safety advice for families, emphasizing "touch supervision" for children near water and the importance of Coast Guard-approved life vests and CPR training. Drowning is often silent and a leading cause of accidental death in young children, which she states is largely preventable.