Dr. Soma shares essential Memorial Day water safety tips for families
With Memorial Day weekend around the corner, Dr. Gauthama Soma, a specialist in pediatric emergency medicine and a mother of two, underscores the importance of water safety for families. She emphasizes the need for “touch supervision” when children are around water, noting that drowning incidents often occur silently. According to Dr. Soma, many accidental drownings among young children can be prevented. She also recommends parents ensure their kids wear life vests approved by the Coast Guard and encourages them to acquire CPR skills.
In Arizona, police suggest felony child abuse charges for the parents of an 18-month-old boy who nearly drowned, due to their admission of using marijuana and insufficient supervision during a Super Bowl party earlier this year. The incident gained national attention when the boy was mistakenly declared dead but was later found alive in the hospital morgue hours after.
The Gilbert Police Department’s recommendation for felony child abuse charges against Vincent Fiordilino’s parents is currently under review by the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, as reported by AZFamily. So far, no charges have been filed.
According to investigators, during the gathering, Vincent vanished from his parents’ sight and was later discovered floating face down in the family’s backyard pool. AZFamily obtained a police report indicating that both parents admitted to using marijuana at the party. The report asserts that their impaired condition, possibly caused by marijuana or other substances, led to their failure to notice Vincent’s fall into the pool.
Once Vincent was retrieved from the water, he was rushed to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where doctors initially declared him dead that evening, police report. In a shocking twist, medical staff found the toddler to be alive and breathing hours later, after he had already been sent to the hospital’s morgue around 7:23 p.m. He was subsequently airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for further treatment.
Vincent Fiordilino is shown in a family photo shared through a GoFundMe campaign supporting his recovery. (GoFundMe)
The police report alleges responding officers and Vincent’s parents questioned whether the toddler had actually died before he was pronounced dead, saying they believed he was still showing signs of life. Hospital staff reportedly told them Vincent was exhibiting agonal breathing, an involuntary reflex that can occur near death.
According to the report, a nurse later reported detecting a pulse after the child had been pronounced dead. Detectives allege the physician who made the initial determination maintained his assessment was correct and instructed hospital staff to stop lifesaving measures despite concerns from Vincent’s parents and responding officers that the toddler still appeared to be breathing. Police did not recommend criminal charges against the physician, according to AZFamily.
Mercy Gilbert Medical Center in Gilbert, Ariz. An 18-month-old boy was taken to the hospital after nearly drowning in a backyard pool before he was mistakenly declared dead, according to police. (Google Maps)
According to AZFamily, a Dignity Health spokesperson said the hospital conducted a review following the incident.
“This is a heartbreaking situation. We immediately conducted a thorough review of all aspects of the care that was provided to learn what happened and to make meaningful changes to strengthen our care,” the spokesperson said in a statement. “Out of respect for the patient’s privacy, we cannot discuss details. We continue to work with the family and their representative. Patient safety and exceptional care is our highest priority.”
A GoFundMe campaign created for the family described Vincent as a “miracle baby” after he survived the ordeal.
“Vincent was declared deceased,” the fundraiser says. “His devastated parents were sent home in unimaginable grief. But God had other plans. A little after 11:30 p.m., the family received a call no one expected: the medical examiner had detected a faint heartbeat.”
Vincent Fiordilino is pictured in a portrait. Prosecutors are reviewing a police recommendation that his parents face felony child abuse charges. (GoFundMe)
According to the fundraiser, Vincent’s kidneys, lungs and liver began shutting down after he arrived at Phoenix Children’s Hospital. An MRI initially identified two small areas of potential brain damage, but later testing reportedly found no brain damage. The fundraiser says Vincent continues to require extensive therapy, ongoing medical monitoring and treatment as he recovers.
News Media has reached out to the Maricopa County Attorney’s Office, Gilbert Police Department, Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Phoenix Children’s Hospital for comment.