The family of a 1-year-old child who was declared dead in an Arizona hospital only to be found alive in the morgue is planning legal action over the ordeal.
The parents of the child are facing potential charges of child abuse after admitting to using marijuana and failing to supervise the child during a Super Bowl party. The child, Vincent Fiordilino, was found face down in a pool, and first responders transported him to a nearby hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The family plans to sue Dignity Health Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and the doctor in the case, identified only as Dr. Toosi, according to AZFamily. Bodycam footage recorded Toosi declaring the child dead at 6:20 p.m., only for both the child’s mother and the nurse to detect signs of life in the following minutes.
A police report of the incident viewed by the local outlet noted that Vincent was “still possibly breathing based on the appearance of his stomach and chest area rising and falling.”
TODDLER DECLARED DEAD AFTER NEAR-DROWNING WAS FOUND ALIVE IN HOSPITAL MORGUE HOURS LATER, POLICE SAY
When this information was brought to Toosi, the report states, the doctor responded “arrogantly” and 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.”
Medical officials later found the child breathing and carrying a pulse just before midnight at the morgue. He was then flown to Phoenix Children’s Hospital, where it was confirmed he was suffering from severe medical issues related to the near-drowning.
According to a GoFundMe drive set up for the boy, Vincent’s kidneys, lungs and liver began shutting down after he arrived at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. An MRI initially identified two small areas of potential brain damage, but later testing reportedly found no brain damage. The fundraiser says Vincent continues to require extensive therapy, ongoing medical monitoring and treatment as he recovers.
Neither Toosi nor the parents have been charged with a crime in relation to the incident. Toosi’s attorney declined to comment on the issue when contacted by AZFamily.
According to AZFamily, a Dignity Health spokesperson said the hospital conducted a review following the incident.
“This is a heartbreaking situation. 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,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Out of respect for the patient’s privacy, we cannot discuss details. We continue to work with the family and their representative. Patient safety and exceptional care is our highest priority.”
Fox News’ Brittany Miller contributed to this report.
