Toddler Declared Dead Was Found Breathing in Hospital Morgue

A toddler discovered in a pool in a Phoenix suburb was declared dead, only to be found breathing hours later in a hospital morgue. Police records released recently shed light on the incident that occurred in February.

Two Gilbert police officers noted signs of life multiple times. Despite this, the child was taken to the hospital’s ‘cold room’ after treatment. Dr. Aryan Toosi, involved in the case, was quoted in the report, saying, ‘Please do your thing and let me do my thing. I went to medical school for a reason.’

First responders responded to a reported drowning at around 5:30 p.m. on February 8. They carried out life-saving procedures before taking the child to a hospital where he was pronounced dead about an hour later. Five hours after this declaration, police were informed that the child was breathing. The boy was flown to another hospital, where he survived and has been released.

Parental Negligence Under Scrutiny

Gilbert police recommend negligence charges against the parents. Investigators noted a strong odor of marijuana in the home and open doors that could lead to unsupervised pool access. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the case but hasn’t commented further.

Emergency 911 calls capture frantic reports from two relatives as people at the scene screamed. One caller mentioned the child was unconscious after being pulled from the pool. Attempts to contact the household were unsuccessful when an Associated Press photographer knocked on the door.

Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where the 18-month-old was initially taken, stated that it conducted a comprehensive review of the care provided. The hospital described the event as ‘a heartbreaking situation’ while withholding further details.

When found breathing by a local medical examiner’s team in the ‘cold room,’ the boy was quickly transferred to another hospital.

Doctor’s Lawyer Speaks Out

Scott Holden, representing Dr. Toosi, said there is more to the case ‘both factually and medically’ than reported.

A GoFundMe page, started to assist the boy’s family with medical expenses, notes that extensive therapy would be necessary. The page expresses gratitude for support, addressing the child as a ‘miracle fighter.’

An ABC affiliate in Phoenix, KNXV-TV, initially covered the story. Notable cases of mistaken death declarations include one in Southfield, Michigan. In 2020, Timesha Beauchamp, mistakenly declared dead, was later found gasping for air. Despite immediate medical attention, she did not recover, leading to a $3.25 million settlement for her family.

Errors in Death Declarations

Dr. Judy Melinek, a forensic pathologist, explained that mistaken death declarations, though rare, happen occasionally. She noted it is more common in elderly people. The criteria for death include the absence of a heartbeat, breathing, and brain activity, with shallow or intermittent breathing causing declaration delays.

Melinek emphasized the importance of a doctor’s expertise and training, adding that policies may vary across hospitals. She remarked, ‘It’s either someone inexperienced got involved or a policy failure.’