Arizona family sues hospital after toddler found alive in morgue

The family of 18-month-old Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino is pursuing legal action against Dr. Aryan Toosi and Mercy Gilbert Medical Center following a medical error in Arizona. The incident began when the toddler nearly drowned in a swimming pool during a Super Bowl gathering.

After being rushed to the hospital, Dr. Toosi pronounced the child dead at 6:20 p.m. Despite the family reporting signs of life, such as gasping, medical staff reportedly dismissed these as ‘agonal breathing.’ More than five hours later, transport staff from the medical examiner’s office discovered the toddler was still alive while attempting to collect his body.

Vincent was airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for critical care. An MRI revealed the child suffered a severe hypoxic brain injury due to oxygen deprivation, resulting in permanent medical challenges that will require lifelong care and physical therapy.