Family Sues Hospital After Child Found Alive in Morgue
A family is suing Dignity Health and a doctor after their toddler was discovered alive in a hospital morgue.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Children’s Health
The family of an 18-month-old toddler is suing Dr. Aryan Toosi and Dignity Health for negligence after the child was declared dead at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center. Hospital staff later discovered the toddler alive in the morgue before he was moved for emergency treatment.
Why it matters
The lawsuit alleges that medical staff failed to adequately address concerns regarding the toddler's condition following his initial pronouncement of death. The family maintains that their child was alive when he was transported to the morgue.
The 18-month-old toddler spent approximately 5 hours in the morgue after being declared dead at 6:20 p.m. He was later transferred to Phoenix Children's Hospital for emergency treatment for severe brain damage linked to oxygen deprivation.
The players
Dr. Aryan Toosi
The physician who pronounced the toddler dead at Mercy Gilbert Medical Center.
Dignity Health
The healthcare organization being sued for medical negligence regarding the incident.
Phoenix Children's Hospital
The medical facility where the toddler received subsequent emergency treatment.
The details
The toddler had been found floating face-down in a backyard swimming pool prior to his arrival at the hospital. His family alerted medical staff to his condition after noticing signs of breathing after the death pronouncement.
Timeline
Oct. 23, 2026: Dr. Aryan Toosi pronounced the toddler dead at 6:20 p.m.
Health Landscape
This case highlights the catastrophic failure of standard protocols for hospital death certification. It marks a significant departure from expected medical practices, raising urgent questions about how facilities confirm death and handle patient remains.
This incident raises critical questions for residents regarding the accuracy of emergency medical assessments and hospital communication. Families may now feel compelled to request secondary verification of vital signs during urgent medical emergencies.
The takeaway
This case serves as a somber reminder of the importance of vigilance during medical emergencies. Patients and families should always feel empowered to challenge medical assessments if they observe contradictory signs of life.
Further reading
Learn more about local standards in the Children’s Health section.
