18-Month-Old Found Breathing in Morgue After Drowning
An 18-month-old American child declared dead after drowning was found still breathing five hours later in a hospital morgue and airlifted to emergency care in Phoenix. The child survived but with severe injuries, while parents face neglect
An 18-month-old American child was declared dead after drowning in a residential swimming pool during a Super Bowl viewing party in Arizona, only to be found still breathing five hours later in the hospital morgue. The child was initially transported to the hospital and pronounced dead by physicians. However, when medical examiner's staff arrived at the morgue to collect the body, they discovered the child was still breathing and immediately airlifted him by helicopter to Phoenix Children's Hospital for emergency care.
Police reports indicate that before the death was declared, the child's parents and two officers present at the hospital observed what appeared to be gasping or agonal breathing. Hospital staff attributed this to the final moments of life. One police officer claims he heard a nurse say "there's still a pulse" before the doctor confirmed death. Although hospital medical records have not been released, the discrepancy raises questions about the death declaration, though spontaneous cardiac return after CPR cessation, though rare, is medically possible.
The child's condition has since improved, but family attorneys report severe injuries requiring lifelong care. Police have filed charges against the parents for child neglect and reckless endangerment leading to the drowning. The case is currently under review by the Maricopa County District Attorney's Office. The hospital issued a statement saying it has reviewed the incident and will implement improved patient monitoring procedures to prevent similar occurrences.
