Toddler found alive in hospital morgue after being declared dead
An Arizona toddler was declared dead by a doctor but found alive in a morgue five hours later with severe brain damage.
Vincent was found floating in a swimming pool during a Super Bowl party in February. Vincent's parents performed CPR before taking him to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Arizona.
An emergency doctor pronounced him dead after just one hour, telling his mother it was best to let him go. Five hours later, staff from the county medical examiner discovered Vincent was still alive and breathing.
He was rushed to Phoenix Children's Hospital. Tests showed he had suffered severe brain damage and would need constant care for life.
The doctor had based his decision to declare the child dead on blood test results that were not actually received until 18 minutes after he made the pronouncement. The family is now pursuing the case, and it has been referred to the state Attorney-General's office.
- 18 months
- Child's age
- February 8
- Found in pool
- One hour
- Time to pronouncement
- Five hours later
- Found alive in morgue
Why it mattersThe case raises urgent questions about how doctors confirm death and the consequences of hasty decisions in emergency care.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect, but the story highlights risks in any hospital system when critical procedures are rushed or based on incomplete information.
Corroborated byperthnow.com.au
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