safety
Toddler found alive in morgue hours after being pronounced dead by Arizona doctor
By Scripps News Group at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News
· July 3, 2026
· 4 min read
An Arizona toddler was found breathing inside a hospital morgue after being declared dead hours earlier by a doctor, according to police records.A police report and body camera video reviewed by investigators with the Scripps News Group in Phoenix show that two Gilbert police officers saw signs o...
Key takeaway Toddler found alive in hospital morgue after being pronounced dead by AZ doctorWhat happened that dayThe 18-month-old was rushed to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center after he was found inside the familys pool on Super Bowl Sunday in February.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The disturbing incident in Arizona raises questions about the protocols in place for declaring death in emergency situations. In Detroit , where near-drowning incidents can occur in the city's numerous parks and waterways, it is crucial that medical professionals and first responders are trained to recognize signs of life, even in cases where a patient appears to be unresponsive. The fact that two police officers in Arizona observed multiple signs of life, including audible gasps for air, yet the toddler was still taken to the morgue, is alarming. Detroit's medical community should take note of this incident and review their own procedures to ensure that similar mistakes do not happen here. The city's hospitals and emergency services should prioritize ongoing training and quality control measures to prevent such errors and guarantee the best possible outcomes for patients in critical conditions.
About this story
Original reporting by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 3, 2026 ·
Source: WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News ·
Reading time: 4 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? An Arizona toddler was found breathing inside a hospital morgue after being declared dead hours earlier by a doctor, according to police records.A police report and body camera video reviewed by investigators with the Scripps News Group in Phoenix show that two Gilbert police officers saw signs o...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 3, 2026 by WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Scripps News Group at WXYZ Channel 7 (ABC Detroit) - News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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