Arizona Hospital Pronounced Toddler Dead; Found Alive in Morgue Five Hours Later

An 18-month-old Gilbert boy declared dead after a February pool drowning was discovered breathing in Mercy Gilbert Medical Center's cold room five hours later. First responders arrived at 5:30pm; the child was pronounced dead by 6:30pm. A medical examiner's team found him alive and transferred him to another hospital. Police records show officers observed possible signs of life before the pronouncement, raising questions about death determination protocols in pediatric cold-water cases.