A police report has revealed that an 18-month-old boy, initially pronounced dead after a near-drowning incident in a Gilbert, Arizona, pool, was found breathing hours later in the hospital morgue. The incident occurred on February 8 during a family gathering for the Super Bowl. Emergency responders arrived at the residence around 17:30 and transported the child to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where he was declared dead at 18:20 by Dr. Aryan Toosi.
According to bodycam footage, Dr. Toosi insisted on the time of death despite officers suggesting they had observed signs of life. Five hours later, a medical examiner arrived to collect the child and discovered he was still alive. The toddler was subsequently transferred to another facility, where he successfully recovered and has since been discharged. While the exact medical circumstances remain unclear, the doctor’s legal representative has stated there is more to the story than currently reported.
Law enforcement officials are currently recommending that negligence charges be filed against the parents, citing the discovery of a strong marijuana scent at the scene which suggested inadequate supervision. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has yet to decide on potential charges. Mercy Gilbert Medical Center issued a statement describing the event as a heartbreaking situation and confirmed that they have performed an internal review to improve their medical procedures.
