An 18-month-old boy who was mistakenly pronounced dead after nearly drowning in a backyard pool was discovered alive in a hospital morgue nearly six hours later on February 8, according to Gilbert Police Department records released in July 2026.
The child, identified as Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino, was rushed to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center after being pulled from a pool during a Super Bowl party around 5:30 p.
m.
Emergency room physician Dr. A. Toosi declared him deceased at 6:20 p.
m. despite multiple signs of life noted by family members and responding officers.
According to a police report obtained by KPNX, an officer questioned the diagnosis after noticing the boy gasping for air, prompting an aggressive response from the attending physician.
"Please do your thing and let me do my thing," said Dr. A. Toosi, according to the police report.
The physician further justified his authority during the medical emergency.
"I went to medical school for a reason," said Dr. A. Toosi, according to the report.
The report also states that the doctor "arrogantly" said "he was the doctor, he has the medical degree, he went to medical school for a reason, and to let him do his thing," before instructing the staff to cease all lifesaving efforts.
Before leaving the emergency room, the physician addressed the present medical staff and law enforcement officers.
"As long as there are no objections, I'd like to call time of death," said Dr. A. Toosi, as recorded in the police files.
Body-worn camera footage captured the exact final declarations made inside the trauma room.
"If there's no objections, I'd like to call time of death," said Dr. A. Toosi, according to the video logs.
The doctor then finalized the medical log entry.
"Time of death 18:20. Moment of silence," said Dr. A.
Toosi, according to the video.
The official police report notes the exact timeline of the pronouncement and the immediate actions taken by the medical team.
"At approximately 18:20 hours, Dr. Toosi called the time of death and requested a moment of silence," the police report states.
Minutes prior to the declaration, the physician was observed checking his personal device in the emergency department.
"A cell phone with a cheetah print orange and black case" was seen by an officer, according to the report.
During the resuscitation attempts, a staff member briefly noted a vital sign before the final declaration was made.
"I have a pulse," said a nurse, according to police records.
When witnesses expressed concerns regarding the toddler's persistent gasps, medical staff dismissed the movements as non-viable reflexes.
"Agonal breathing," said the nurses, according to the report.
A detective later noted an additional sound coming from the child at 7:18 p. m.
while medical staff prepared the body for the refrigeration unit.
"Another audible gasp" was recorded by the detective, according to the police files.
The detective returned to the room an hour later to document the scene and witnessed further signs of respiration.
"Again observed what appeared to be a gasp or air release," the detective stated in the report.
Following these observations, the child was moved into the hospital's refrigeration unit at 7:23 p. m.
"The cold room door was closed," the report states.
A transport worker from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office arrived at 11:52 p. m.
to collect the body and immediately noticed the child was vital.
"He was found breathing," the report states.
Emergency protocols were instantly reinitiated to handle the sudden development.
"The family was notified immediately" and the boy was airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital, according to the report.
The Gilbert Police Department confirmed the child's survival and subsequent discharge, though he remains on a ventilator and requires extensive therapy.
"The child ultimately survived and has been released from the hospital," said the Gilbert Police Department in an official statement.
A crowdfunding page indicates that the toddler avoided severe brain damage but requires ongoing monitoring, prompting an emotional relative to contact emergency services during the initial incident.
"I just found my nephew in the pool," said an emotional male caller during a 911 call obtained by the New York Post.
The hospital administration released a statement acknowledging the medical error and their subsequent internal investigation.
"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.
Out of respect for the patient's privacy, we cannot discuss details. We continue to work with the family and their representative.
Patient safety and exceptional care is our highest priority," said a Mercy Gilbert Medical Center spokesperson.
The physician's legal representation, Scott Holden, declined to comment extensively on the specifics of the medical malpractice allegations.
"Because of this, as well as patient confidentiality, we are unable to make a full statement at this time other than to assure you that there is much more to this case, both factually and medically, than has been reported thus far," said Scott Holden, attorney for Dr. Toosi.
The attorney separate statement emphasized that the public narrative remains incomplete.
"There's 'much more' to the case than has been reported," said Scott Holden via NBC News.
A resident at the child's household briefly answered inquiries regarding the current state of the family.
"I can't comment on this right now, but thanks for calling," said a man at the Fiordilino home.
Meanwhile, Gilbert police have recommended child abuse charges against the parents to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office, alleging their supervision was compromised.
"The potential of both parents' state of mind being impaired by marijuana and/or other mind altering substances," the police report alleges.
Both parents reportedly admitted to using substances earlier on the day of the near-drowning incident.
"Both admitted to smoking marijuana the morning of the drowning," the report states.
