Full Breakdown
Arizona Toddler Pronounced Dead, Later Found Alive in Hospital Morgue
7/4/2026, 2:18:43 AM
Fatal Misdiagnosis and Rescue
On February 8, 2024, 18-month-old Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino was pulled from a backyard pool in Gilbert, Arizona, after an estimated 10-15 minutes underwater. Police reports state the parents, Alexus and Angelo Fiordilino, admitted to smoking marijuana and were not monitoring the child at the time. He was taken to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where Dr. Aryan Toosi declared him dead at 6:20 p.m. The child was moved to the hospital’s cold-room morgue. At 11:52 p.m., the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s team discovered him breathing, and he was airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for treatment.
Timeline
- 5:30 p.m.: Toddler found face-down; 911 call placed.
- 5:38 p.m.: Relative performed CPR; child transported.
- 6:13 p.m.: Dr. Toosi checked a cell-phone before notifying parents.
- 6:20 p.m.: Time of death declared.
- 7:18 p.m.: Officer heard audible gasp as staff prepared morgue transfer.
- 7:23 p.m.: Child placed in cold-room.
- 11:52 p.m.: Medical examiner found child breathing; airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Official Statements & Responses
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center called the incident “heartbreaking,” announced an internal review of care practices, and emphasized patient safety as a priority. The hospital declined to discuss personnel matters. Gilbert Police Department recommended a single felony child-abuse charge; the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the recommendation. No criminal charges have been filed against Dr. Toosi.
Criticism & Opposition
Police body-camera footage shows the physician dismissing a nurse’s claim of a pulse and officers’ observations of gasping. The officer’s report quotes the doctor as saying, “Let me do my thing,” indicating refusal to reassess the death determination. Critics cite the exchange as evidence of inadequate communication and protocol failure.
On-the-Ground Reports
Officers documented audible gasps and visible chest movement after the death pronouncement. A nurse described the sounds as “agonal breathing,” while an officer labeled them “release of air” and “gasping.” The parents reported hearing the same sounds and believed the child remained alive.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the timing of the first audible gasp (reported at 7:18 p.m. and again an hour later). The police report does not confirm whether a pulse was verified with monitoring equipment. Mercy Gilbert has not released the findings of its internal investigation or Dr. Toosi’s employment status.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Please do your thing and let me do my thing,” — Dr. Aryan Toosi, Physician, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center
- “I have a pulse.” — Nurse, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center
- “The release of air was audible and visible,” — Gilbert Police Officer
- “Mercy Gilbert said in a statement, “This is a heartbreaking situation.” — Mercy Gilbert Medical Center Spokesperson
What’s Next
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office will decide on child-abuse charges. Mercy Gilbert’s internal review continues, and the hospital’s emergency-room death protocols may be examined. Vincent remains under long-term care at Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
