Arizona toddler Vincent Fiordilino declared dead then found alive in morgue five hours later

An American couple’s world collapsed in February when they were told their toddler Vincent had died after an accidental drowning.

Five hours later, one phone call would turn the couple’s grief into disbelief. Their son had, in fact, been alive the entire time.

The unbelievable twist is now the centre of a major investigation by a team at Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, who are hoping to determine how such a mammoth error was made.

Arizona toddler Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino had been discovered face-down and unresponsive in a backyard pool during a Superbowl party in East Valley earlier this year.

Emergency services were called to the home at 5.30pm on February 8 as a family member began CPR on the eighteen month old, before officers and family raced the boy to the nearby Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.

Nurses and doctors, including an emergency room physician, continued lifesaving efforts until the boy was declared deceased at 6.20pm.

“If there’s no objections, I’d like to call time of death,” the doctor could be heard saying in police-worn body camera footage acquired by local outlet KPNX.

The decision to call the time of death was met with concerns from Vincent’s family and officers at the scene.

When one police officer approached the physician to query gasping sounds and a faint pulse coming from the toddler, the physician allegedly pulled rank.

“Please do your thing and let me do my thing,” the doctor is alleged to have told the officer.

“I went to medical school for a reason.”

In the hours after his passing was announced, the child was moved alone to a cold room, where the temperature was set between 2C and 4C, and the medical examiner was contacted.

When employees from the morgue arrived at the medical centre hours later at 11.30pm, they were left stunned to find Vincent still breathing.

The toddler’s parents were notified immediately, and he was airlifted to nearby Phoenix Children’s Hospital for emergency treatment.

Vincent spent 72 hours fighting for his life at the second hospital before eventually being discharged to his family.

The Fiordilino family has since stated Vincent has suffered no brain damage from the incident.

While the Attorney General’s Investigation is aiming to determine how Vincent was wrongfully declared dead, authorities say charges will be laid against more than just the medical centre.

When contacted by US media, a lawyer for the physician said there was “more to this case”.

“Because of a police recommendation, as well as patient confidentiality, we are unable to make a full statement at this time other than to assure you there is more to this case,” the attorney said.

The physician is not facing any criminal charges from police.

A spokesperson for Mercy Gilbert Medical Centre called the incident “heartbreaking” in a statement to local media.

“This is a heartbreaking situation,” the spokesperson said.

“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.”

The hospital has declined to state whether the physician remains on their staff.

In the days after his discharge, Vincent’s family set up a GoFundMe to support the toddler through the remainder of his recovery.

“Despite this miracle, Vincent still faces a long and challenging recovery,” a family member wrote on the page.

“He will need extensive therapy, ongoing medical monitoring, and support for his healing organs . . . the Fiordilino family is overwhelmed with gratitude — but also facing medical expenses that are far beyond what they can manage alone.”

The GoFundMe has already gained $25,060.

The Attorney General’s investigation into the matter remains ongoing.