A toddler in Gilbert, Arizona, was declared deceased at a local hospital before being discovered alive in the facility's morgue, according to a police report. The child is expected to survive, authorities stated. Gilbert is located approximately 11 miles northwest of Queen Creek.
The incident began around 5:30 p.m. on February 8 when the child was found face down in a backyard swimming pool. Officers transported the toddler to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where medical staff initiated emergency procedures. A physician pronounced the child dead at approximately 6:20 p.m., marking the time of death on camera.
Body-worn camera footage from the scene captures the moment the doctor announced the time of death and requested a moment of silence. Following this declaration, several individuals, including police officers and the child's parents, observed signs that the child was still breathing. One officer reported hearing the child gasp for air, while a nurse present at the time characterized the sound as agonal breathing rather than true respiration.
Approximately one hour after the death was declared, the child was moved to the hospital morgue. A transporter from the Maricopa County Medical Examiner's Office later detected breathing and transported the child to a different hospital for further care.
A spokesperson for Mercy Gilbert Medical Center described the event as a heartbreaking situation. The hospital stated it conducted a thorough review of the care provided to identify what occurred and to implement changes to improve patient safety. The spokesperson noted that details regarding the patient could not be shared due to privacy concerns and confirmed that the hospital continues to work with the family.
