Investigation Continues Into Near-Drowning Incident of Toddler in Arizona

On Super Bowl Sunday, a tragic incident involving an 18-month-old Arizona toddler, Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino, has led to an ongoing investigation by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office. Around 6:20 p.m., Vincent was pronounced dead in the emergency room. However, by 11:52 p.m., he was discovered breathing in the hospital morgue.

The events leading to Vincent’s near-drowning in a pool are under scrutiny. The Gilbert Police Department has confirmed that Vincent has been released from the hospital. However, they have recommended that his parents face child abuse charges. According to a police report obtained by NBC affiliate KPNX, the parents might not have noticed their son wandering to the pool. The report suggests their judgement may have been impaired by marijuana or other substances. Both admitted to using marijuana earlier that day.

A spokesperson from the county attorney’s office declined to comment. Mercy Gilbert Medical Center conducted an internal investigation into this distressing case. The hospital has not disclosed the investigation’s results and has not commented on whether the doctor involved remains on staff.

In the police report, Dr. A. Toosi is named as the physician who erroneously declared the boy dead. When questioned about his decision, he reportedly resisted questioning with, “I went to medical school for a reason.” Aryan Toosi is identified in reports as affiliated with the hospital, but he did not respond to NBC News through his lawyer.

An online crowdfunding page initiated by the family reveals Vincent is reliant on a ventilator. Although he avoided serious brain damage, he will require ongoing medical monitoring and extensive therapy.

The incident took place around 5:38 p.m. on February 8. A relative found the toddler face down in the pool and performed CPR. Vincent was then rushed to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. The emergency team, led by Dr. Toosi, tried to resuscitate him. At 6:13 p.m., Toosi informed the parents about Vincent’s condition.

Despite witnesses in the ER observing the boy gasping for breath, Dr. Toosi proceeded to declare the time of death at 6:20 p.m. A police detective reported hearing audible gasps while preparing Vincent for transfer to the hospital morgue.

Four hours later, when the medical examiner’s team arrived, they found Vincent breathing. He was immediately informed to the family and then airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for further care.