Toddler found alive in hospital morgue: Arizona mother speaks out as records raise questions

The mother of an Arizona toddler who was pronounced dead at a hospital and later found alive in its morgue has spoken publicly for the first time. Her family is now questioning how the decision was made. Interest in the case pushed “toddler” and “Vincent Fiordilino mother interview” past 20,000 US searches on Google Trends.

What happened

Vincent Fiordilino, then 18 months old, was found floating face-down in a pool at a Super Bowl party on Feb. 8, 2026, according to AZFamily and ABC15. Police performed CPR, and paramedics took him to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert, Arizona.

He was pronounced dead at 6:20 p.m. Hours later, he was found breathing in the hospital morgue, or cold room, when the medical examiner’s transport arrived. He was rushed to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. AZFamily says he was in the morgue for nearly five hours; his mother told ABC15 it was five and a half.

What the records show

According to records shared by the family’s attorney, John Brewer, and reported by both stations:

• 6:04 p.m. Vincent arrives at the hospital.
• 6:08 p.m. A doctor orders an arterial blood gas test, which measures oxygen in the blood. AZFamily reports that order was canceled.
• 6:11 p.m. Labs are collected.
• 6:13 p.m. Police body-camera audio captures someone asking, “Do we have results on the gas yet?” Staff say they don’t.
• 6:20 p.m. Vincent is pronounced dead.
• 6:38 p.m. Blood gas results come in, 18 minutes after time of death was called.

ABC15 reports that the emergency physician, Dr. Aryan Toosi, cited the blood gas results as part of his reasoning for not taking Vincent’s core temperature or attempting warming measures. The family questions how those results could have guided a decision made before they arrived. AZFamily also reported that the doctor did not sign his report until the day after Vincent was found alive.

These are the family’s interpretation of the records. The hospital and the doctor have not addressed the timeline publicly.

The mother’s account

“I thought I lost my baby and he was back,” Alexus Fiordilino told AZFamily. “There isn’t a day I don’t think about that day.”

She told ABC15 the doctor said Vincent’s blood was too acidic and that “even if we are to bring him back, it wouldn’t be a good form of life.” She also said a relative thought she heard him breathing before he was taken away and was told that was normal.

“He was alone for five and a half hours. How do you do that to a baby?” she said. She told ABC15 that Vincent is now in physical therapy and, according to the family’s attorney, will need lifelong care.

What the hospital and doctor say

Dignity Health, which runs Mercy Gilbert, called it “a heartbreaking situation.” It said it cannot share information out of respect for patient privacy. The doctor’s attorney, Scott Holden, said Dr. Toosi “wishes the child continued healing and recovery” and cannot discuss details because of pending litigation and privacy laws.

Investigations

Gilbert police said their investigation did not establish probable cause for criminal conduct by medical staff. The department said the case is being referred to the Arizona Attorney General’s Office, according to ABC15. AZFamily reported that the AG’s office has not decided whether to review it. The family’s attorney told AZFamily he plans to file a complaint against the hospital and doctor next week.

FAQ

Is the toddler alive? Yes. Vincent survived and is in physical therapy, his mother says.

Has anyone been charged? No. Police found no probable cause for criminal charges.

What happens next? A possible Attorney General review and a planned complaint from the family.