'Miracle baby' found alive and well in morgue after bungling doctors wrongly declared him dead

An 18-month-old "miracle baby" was discovered alive in a hospital morgue after a doctor had incorrectly pronounced him dead.

Vincent Lorenzo Fiordilino had been pulled unresponsive from a swimming pool at his family's home, where he was found floating face down.

The toddler spent five hours in the morgue before a medical examiner detected a faint heartbeat while preparing to remove the body.

He was then airlifted to Phoenix Children's Hospital for emergency treatment.

The extraordinary discovery was made in February - but medical staff have since dubbed Vincent a "miracle baby" following his remarkable survival.

Vincent's parents had stepped outside to talk, leaving the toddler unattended for approximately 15 minutes.

When they noticed he was missing, his mother Alexus discovered him moments later in the back garden pool.

His father Angelo immediately attempted to resuscitate him while speaking to emergency operators.

A family member told responders during the recorded call: "I just found my nephew in the pool."

When asked whether the toddler was breathing, Angelo replied: "We're not sure."

Emergency services told his father to carry out CPR, and at one stage a relative reported the child had been "starting to respond".

Police arrived within five minutes of the initial call.

Vincent was taken to the Mercy Gilbert Medical Centre, where doctors pronounced him dead.

But police records are thought to have found the boy showed signs of life before his official time of death was recorded.

One officer reportedly heard a nurse say the toddler had a pulse.

LATEST FROM CALIFORNIA:

• Police reveal horrific death toll after 'football field-sized' avalanche strikes California
• 'No-kill' animal sanctuary in California investigated after 117 dogs found in gruesome mass grave
• Driver killed after car plunges 500ft onto rocks from clifftop California highway

Despite these hopes, Vincent was transferred to the nearby morgue - where he remained for five hours until a medical examiner arrived to collect him.

It was at this point that the examiner detected a faint heartbeat.

Vincent was immediately flown by air ambulance to the Phoenix Children's Hospital for urgent care.

Following his rescue, Vincent's initial prognosis was critical.

Doctors determined his organs were failing and diagnosed brain damage.

Yet days later, an MRI scan contradicted this assessment, revealing Vincent had suffered no brain damage.

The boy had sustained only a minor brain bruise, which his developing brain is expected to overcome.

"Despite this miracle, Vincent still faces a long and challenging recovery," the family said.

"He will need extensive therapy, ongoing medical monitoring, and support for his healing organs."

The family has now launched a fundraising appeal, which has garnered some £14,000.

"Between emergency care, air transport, ICU treatment, MRIs, organ support, and the long-term therapy ahead, the financial burden is immense," they said.

But his parents now face a criminal probe.

Police recommended a felony child abuse charge against Vincent's parents to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office on June 3 - which is now under review.

Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter