Toddler found alive in morgue after being declared dead

July 10, 2026

An Arizona toddler who was mistakenly declared dead after nearly drowning in his family’s backyard pool in February was later found alive in the morgue, according to local police.

The Christian Post reports that 18-month-old as Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino, was found face down in his family’s pool during a Super Bowl party on Feb. 8, according to details from a newly released police report and 911 calls cited by Arizona’s Family.

Police reported that the boy’s parents admitted to smoking marijuana and not watching their son closely during the party when they arrived on the scene in response to a frantic 911 call.

It was estimated that the toddler was in the water for about 10 to 15 minutes.

The boy was rushed to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where Dr. A. Toosi pronounced him dead at 6:20 p.m. that evening.

According to the Christian Post, when a nurse and police officer both informed Dr. Toosi that the boy still had a pulse, the doctor “arrogantly” said “he was the doctor, he has the medical degree, he went to medical school for a reason, and to let him do his thing,” according to the report.

Police say that the doctor told hospital staff to stop trying to save the child and the boy was taken to the morgue, but just before midnight, medical examiner staff confirmed he was still alive.

He was later transported to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for further care and is continuing to recover.

While the boy’s parents are now mulling a lawsuit against Toosi and the hospital, the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office says the parents could also face potential child abuse charges.

Photo: top, Credit: GoFundMe