From Law & Crime · · 3m
Family heard little boy breathing in morgue after declared dead in error
Arizona mom reveals toddler was alive in morgue hours after being declared dead by hospital staff.
In brief
Arizona mom reveals toddler was alive in morgue hours after being declared dead by hospital staff. Arizona toddler Vincent Fiordilino was found alive in hospital morgue hours after being declared dead by a doctor who claimed it was normal breathing. Originally reported by Law & Crime.
Family heard little boy breathing in morgue
Alexus Fiordilino, mother of Vincent Fiordilino, said her family heard her toddler breathing while he was in the morgue hours before he was found alive after being declared dead in error.
“My mother-in-law is there, and she goes over, and she hugs him”
Staff claimed breathing was normal
Staff at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center told family it was normal for a child to sound like he was breathing after being declared dead.
“Oh, it's normal. It's normal that it's gonna sound like that, but that's normal”
Vincent declared dead in error
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center declared 18-month-old Vincent Fiordilino dead in error after he drowned in a pool during a Super Bowl party.
“Vincent was declared deceased”
Family found alive in morgue
Vincent was found alive and breathing around midnight after being moved to morgue at 7:23 p.m. for five and a half hours.
“He was found alive and breathing around midnight”
Medical records show errors
Vincent's medical records showed test results the doctor used to justify ending life-saving efforts were not completed until after he was declared dead.
“His pH levels are too high. They're too acidic. So even if we are to bring him back, it wouldn't be a good form of life”
Prosecutors say no charges
Prosecutors stated the doctor will not face criminal charges despite claims of medical negligence.
“The doctor will not face criminal charges”
Family's GoFundMe
A GoFundMe campaign described Vincent as a 'miracle baby' and says his parents experienced 'every parent's worst nightmare'.
“Vincent was declared deceased. His devastated parents were sent home in unimaginable grief”
Physical therapy needed
Vincent has had to go through physical therapy as a result of the incident and his organs were struggling.
“His kidneys, lungs, and liver were all struggling”
Hospital statement
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center said they cannot share information about the patient's privacy and are unable to comment on those involved in patient care.
“This is a heartbreaking situation. Out of respect for the patient's privacy, we cannot share any information”
Doctor's justification
The doctor claimed Vincent's pH levels were too high and acidic, so even if revived he would suffer.
“Yeah, so his pH levels are too high. They're too acidic. So even if we are to bring him back, it wouldn't be a good form of life”
Parents' concerns
Parents and officers reported seeing and hearing Vincent taking gasps of air while he was in the morgue.
“The child appeared to still be breathing, and reported seeing and hearing him taking gasps of air”
Morgue timeline
Vincent was moved to morgue at 7:23 p.m. and found alive around midnight after being alone for five and a half hours.
“Vincent was moved to the hospital's morgue around 7:23 p.m. and was then found alive and breathing around midnight”
No criminal charges
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell announced in July that the Fiordilinos would not be charged with child abuse.
“The Maricopa County Attorney's Office reviewed whether to file felony abuse charges over the alleged events involving Vincent”
Medical examiner's call
A medical examiner's team detected a faint heartbeat and airlifted Vincent to Phoenix Children's Hospital.
“A little after 11:30 p.m., the family received a call no one expected: the medical examiner had detected a faint heartbeat”
Hospital staff response
Hospital staff told family it was 'agonal breathing' when they heard Vincent taking gasps of air.
“Hospital staff told them it was 'agonal breathing'”
Family's reaction
Alexus Fiordilino said there's no happy ending for Vincent who needs extensive therapy and ongoing medical monitoring.
“There's no, like, happy ending”
The main idea
Arizona toddler Vincent Fiordilino was found alive in hospital morgue hours after being declared dead by a doctor who claimed it was normal breathing.
