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Toddler Declared Dead Found Alive Hours Later
31 Jul
Summary
- Toddler mistakenly pronounced dead after pool incident, later found alive.
- Parents' negligence charges dropped due to insufficient evidence.
- Family plans legal action against hospital and physician involved.
Negligence charges have been dropped against the parents of an 18-month-old toddler who was mistakenly declared dead at a hospital earlier this year after wandering into a backyard pool. The Maricopa County Attorney's Office reviewed the case and determined that the evidence did not meet the standard required for criminal charges.
Authorities initially suspected the parents of negligence and inattentiveness, noting they had smoked cannabis earlier that day. However, prosecutors cited the presence of child safety measures, multiple adults present, and a lack of obvious impairment as factors in their decision.
The child was found in the family's pool on February 8 and was transported to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. Hours later, medical staff discovered he had signs of life and transferred him to another facility for treatment.
The family is reportedly weighing legal action against the hospital and the physician involved in the erroneous pronouncement of death, stating the child will require lifelong care. A fundraiser has been established to support the toddler's extensive therapy and medical monitoring.
