Arizona Toddler Revived in Hospital Morgue After Declared Dead from Drowning
On February 8, 2026, an 18‑month‑old boy in the Phoenix‑area suburb of Gilbert was discovered face‑down in a family pool and initially declared dead by Mercy Gilbert Medical Center an hour later.
Police and emergency responders performed life‑saving measures before the child was transported to the hospital. However, a newly released police report indicates that the child’s physician, Dr. Aryan Toosi, was advised that signs of life still existed, and a body‑camera video shows the doctor acknowledging that “I went to medical school for a reason.”
Contrary to the hospital’s obituary, a transporter from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner’s Office arrived five hours later and found the child was still breathing. He was flown to another facility, recovered, and has since been released.
The investigation revealed a strong smell of marijuana at the home, leading authorities to suspect the child may have had unsupervised access to the pool. While the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office has not yet decided whether to file negligence charges against the parents, police are recommending such action.
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center has issued a statement that it will conduct a “thorough review of all aspects of the care provided” to determine what happened and implement changes to strengthen emergency responses. The hospital called the incident “heart‑breaking” and declined to disclose further details, citing patient confidentiality.
Key next steps include a review of medical protocols surrounding sudden deaths in hospital settings, a formal investigation into parental negligence, and potential reforms to pool safety regulations in the Gilbert area.
