Toddler Pronounced Dead After Pool Accident Found Alive in Morgue as Parents Face Possible Charges

One Arizona family was grieving the death of their toddler when a late-night miraculous call delivered an impossible update — he was still alive.

Fox News reported on Sunday, July 5, that Vincent Fiordilino, 18 months old, was pulled unresponsive from a backyard pool during a Super Bowl party in Gilbert earlier this year and was later pronounced dead that evening at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.

Hours later, around 7:23 p.m., staff discovered the toddler alive and breathing after he had already been moved to the hospital morgue, police said. He was airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

To his family, Vincent is nothing short of a “miracle baby,” the phrase at the heart of a GoFundMe supporting his recovery.

“Vincent was declared deceased,” the fundraiser says. “His devastated parents were sent home in unimaginable grief. But God had other plans. A little after 11:30 p.m., the family received a call no one expected: the medical examiner had detected a faint heartbeat.”

Now, the Gilbert Police Department has recommended felony child abuse charges against Vincent’s parents, a referral the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is reviewing, as reported by the New York Post. No charges have been filed.

A police report obtained by the outlet alleges both parents admitted smoking marijuana at the gathering and says the boy’s fall went unnoticed due to impairment, as per Fox News.

The report also claims that Vincent’s parents and responding officers questioned whether he had been correctly pronounced dead, saying they believed he still showed signs of life. A nurse later detected a pulse, according to the report.

The physician reportedly maintained that his assessment was correct and instructed staff to stop lifesaving efforts. Police did not recommend charges against the doctor, as per NBC News.

“This is a heartbreaking situation. We immediately conducted a thorough review of all aspects of the care that was provided to learn what happened and to make meaningful changes to strengthen our care,” a Dignity Health spokesperson said, as per NBC affiliate WKYC, adding, “Patient safety and exceptional care is our highest priority.”

According to the fundraiser, the road back has not been easy. Vincent’s kidneys, lungs and liver began failing after he arrived at Phoenix Children’s Hospital, and an early MRI flagged two small areas of possible brain damage.

Follow-up testing, however, reportedly came back clean. The toddler still faces extensive therapy, medical monitoring and ongoing treatment as he heals.