Arizona toddler found alive in morgue after doctor falsely declared death
After being declared dead by a physician, an 18-month-old boy was found breathing in a hospital morgue six hours later. The incident has prompted investigations into medical protocols at the facility and potential child abuse charges for the parents.
An 18-month-old boy was found alive in a hospital morgue in Gilbert, Arizona, nearly six hours after a doctor officially pronounced him dead. The discovery, which followed a near-drowning incident on February 8, 2026, has prompted intense scrutiny of medical protocols and police oversight within the state’s healthcare system.
The incident began at approximately 5:30 p.m. On February 8, when the toddler was discovered face down in a backyard swimming pool during a Super Bowl gathering. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and transported the child to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center for urgent care. By 6:20 p.m., the attending physician, identified in police records as Dr. Aryan Toosi, declared the child dead. His parents were subsequently informed of the loss and given time to say their final goodbyes.
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Tensions in the Emergency Room
According to police reports and body camera footage reviewed by Abc15 and other outlets, the declaration of death occurred despite potential signs of life noted by those present. The records state that a nurse inside the facility reported detecting a pulse before the official time of death was called. When a police officer attempted to relay this information to the doctor, the physician reportedly dismissed the concern.
"[The doctor] arrogantly told me he was the doctor, he has the medical degree, he went to medical school for a reason, and to let him do his thing."
Police report via NYPost
In the hour following the pronouncement, officers on the scene documented audible gasps and visible movements from the child. These were attributed by hospital staff to “agonal breathing,” a reflex often associated with life-saving efforts or physiological responses to pressure, rather than independent respiration. The child was eventually moved to the hospital’s morgue, referred to in reports as the “cold room,” where temperatures are maintained between 36 and 39 degrees. At 11:52 p.m., while preparing to transport the child, medical examiner staff discovered he was still breathing.
Medical and Legal Implications
The toddler was immediately airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital. While the boy has since been released, medical evaluations indicate that he suffered brain damage and will require lifelong care.
The fallout has split between investigations into the hospital's conduct and potential legal challenges facing the family. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is currently reviewing a submittal from the Gilbert Police Department regarding whether the parents, who admitted to smoking marijuana on the day of the incident, should face child abuse charges. The police report suggests that the parents may not have been monitoring the child closely while the Super Bowl was being broadcast.
Ongoing Uncertainty
Dignity Health, which operates the facility, has confirmed that an internal review took place but declined to provide details regarding the investigation or the current employment status of Dr. Toosi. Legal counsel for the physician, Scott Holden, stated that there are significant medical facts not yet reflected in public reports and declined to provide a full statement due to patient confidentiality.
As the legal process continues, observers remain focused on the following status points:
- Hospital Status: Mercy Gilbert Medical Center maintains that it has made "meaningful changes" to its care standards, though it has not disclosed findings from its internal investigation.
- Legal Review: The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has held the case under review since early June 2026 to determine if criminal charges are warranted for the parents.
- Medical Personnel: Dr. Toosi, a licensed osteopathic physician, has not been charged with any crime, and hospital spokespeople have refused to comment on his standing at the facility.
