Google Maps
An Arizona toddler is recovering after he was found alive inside a hospital morgue hours after doctors declared him dead following a drowning incident.
The incident began on February 8 when the 18-month-old was found face down in a backyard swimming pool at a home in Gilbert, Arizona, where relatives had gathered to watch the NFL Super Bowl.
Emergency responders performed CPR before rushing the child to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, but despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital.
The BBC reports that officers told physician Dr. Aryan Toosi they believed the toddler was still showing signs of life. The police report alleges he responded, “Please do your thing and let me do my thing,” before adding, “I went to medical school for a reason.”
Boy found alive after being pronounced dead
Body camera footage also reportedly captured the physician saying, “If there’s no objections, I’d like to call time of death,” before recording the child’s time of death.
However, the case took an unbelievable turn around five hours later when staff from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office arrived to collect the child’s body. It was here that they allegedly discovered that the toddler was still breathing inside the hospital’s cold room.
Upon discovery, the boy was immediately airlifted to another hospital, has since recovered, and has been released. Mercy Gilbert Medical Center described the incident as “a heartbreaking situation”. It said it had completed a thorough review of the care provided, adding that changes had been made to strengthen patient safety.
Police arrest man after toddler was thrown into a crocodile pit and bitten
NFL star’s mistake was so funny, it gave a fan a seizure and actually saved their life
The investigation has also led police to recommend negligence charges against the child’s parents, with investigators revealing they detected the smell of marijuana inside the home and believe the toddler may have been able to access the swimming pool without supervision. Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has not yet announced whether it intends to file charges.
