Arizona Toddler Alive After Being Declared Dead in Hospital Morgue

Mon Sep 14 2026 10:23:31 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

An 18‑month‑old was found drowned in a backyard pool, declared dead, but later saved in a hospital cold room. A police report details the confusion and the child's recovery.

An 18‑month‑old toddler from Gilbert, Arizona was discovered face‑down in a backyard pool on 8 February. First responders managed to revive the child, who was transported to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and declared dead an hour later. Police later learned that signs of life had been observed, and the child was found breathing in the hospital’s morgue. The child was flown to another facility and released after recovery. Police are investigating negligence and a strong marijuana odor at the home, while the hospital conducts a thorough review of care.

An 18‑month‑old toddler from Gilbert, Arizona was discovered face‑down in a backyard pool on 8 February. Police were called after family members were watching the Super Bowl when the child’s mother saw the little boy in distress.

First responders arrived promptly, performed CPR, and immediately transported the child to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. An hour later, emergency staff declared the infant dead.

However, a police report revealed that hospital physician Dr. Aryan Toosi had been informed that “signs of life” were visible. According to body‑camera footage, Toosi told the officers, “Please do your thing and let me do my thing. I went to medical school for a reason.” The doctor later called the time of death at 18:20, a moment followed by a brief silence.

Five hours after the initial declaration, a transporter from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office entered the morgue and found that the child was still breathing. He was flown to another hospital, where the child recovered and has since been released.

Mercy Gilbert Medical Center issued a statement that it is conducting a comprehensive review of the care provided to understand what happened and to implement meaningful changes.

Police are recommending negligence charges against the parents. Investigators noted a strong smell of marijuana at the residence, raising concerns about unsupervised access to the pool. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has yet to announce whether charges will be filed.

The case highlights the crucial role of rapid response in drowning emergencies and the importance of clear communication between emergency crews and hospital physicians. Community members and legal experts await further clarifications from both the hospital and the prosecutor’s office.