Full Breakdown
Arizona Toddler Declared Dead Then Found Alive: Case Overview
7/7/2026, 2:34:40 PM
Fatal Misdiagnosis of Vincent
On Feb 8, 2024, 18-month-old Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino fell into a backyard pool in Gilbert, Arizona, during a Super Bowl gathering. He was taken to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where physicians pronounced him dead and placed him in the cold-room morgue.
Timeline
5:30 p.m. – 911 call; police and fire respond. ~6:13 p.m. – Dr. Aryan Toosi examines the child. 6:20 p.m. – Toosi declares death. 7:23 p.m. – Nurse reports a pulse, describing it as agonal breathing. 11:52 p.m. – Medical examiner staff find Vincent breathing and airlift him to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.
Key Individuals
Vincent Fiordilino (toddler); the parents – admitted smoking marijuana earlier that day and face recommended felony child-abuse charges; Dr. Aryan Toosi (physician who pronounced death); Mercy Gilbert Medical Center; Gilbert Police Department; Maricopa County Attorney’s Office; Scott Holden (attorney for Dr. Toosi); Dr. Judy Melinek (forensic pathologist).
Official Statements & Responses
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center called the case “a heartbreaking situation” and said it conducted a “thorough review of all aspects of the care provided,” citing patient privacy. Gilbert Police confirmed Vincent’s survival and recommended felony child-abuse charges. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has not announced any charges.
Criticism, Concerns, and Expert Commentary
Attorney Scott Holden warned that “there is much more to this case, factually and medically, than has been reported,” suggesting gaps in the public account. Forensic pathologist Dr. Judy Melinek said mistaken death declarations can stem from misreading agonal breathing, underscoring the need for clear protocols.
Legal Implications
The case raises questions about death-determination procedures and parental supervision when substances are present. Ongoing reviews by the county attorney and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center may lead to revised guidelines for confirming death and for holding caregivers accountable.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Please do your thing and let me do my thing. I went to medical school for a reason.” — Dr. Aryan Toosi, Physician, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center
- “We immediately conducted a thorough review of all aspects of the care that was provided to learn what happened and to make meaningful changes to strengthen our care,” — Hospital spokesperson, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center
- “much more to this case, both factually and medically, than has been reported thus far,” — Scott Holden, Attorney for Dr. Toosi
- “It tends to be much more common in elderly people than in children or toddlers,” — Dr. Judy Melinek, Forensic Pathologist, San Francisco
What’s Next
The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office will decide on felony child-abuse charges. Mercy Gilbert Medical Center’s review is expected to recommend changes to death-determination protocols. Follow-up MRIs showed no brain damage; the family continues therapy and monitoring, as noted on their GoFundMe page.
