Dr. Gauthama Soma, an expert in pediatric emergency medicine and a parent, underscores vital water safety practices for families as Memorial Day approaches. She emphasizes the concept of ‘touch supervision’ when children are near any body of water. Dr. Soma highlights that drowning incidents can occur silently and notes that these accidents in young children are, in many cases, preventable. She also advises families to ensure that children wear life vests approved by the Coast Guard and stresses the importance of learning CPR.
In an alarming case earlier this year, Arizona police suggested felony child abuse charges against the parents of an 18-month-old boy who nearly drowned at a Super Bowl party. The child gained nationwide attention after an initial, incorrect declaration of death before being found alive in a hospital morgue. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is reviewing a recommendation from the Gilbert Police Department regarding charges against the boy’s parents, as reported by AZFamily. No formal charges have been filed yet.
Investigators state the boy, named Vincent, was unsupervised and went unnoticed at the party before being discovered floating face down in a pool. According to a police report, both parents admitted to marijuana use during the event. This possibly impaired their ability to supervise Vincent, leading to the incident.
After being pulled from the water, Vincent was taken to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where a doctor wrongly pronounced him dead. Hours later, Vincent was found to be alive in the hospital morgue and was swiftly airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. The police report notes hospital staff observed agonal breathing, indicating life presence, yet lifesaving measures were discontinued.
No criminal charges are currently recommended for the physician involved. Mercy Gilbert Medical Center and Dignity Health have conducted reviews following the incident. They express a commitment to patient safety and have engaged with Vincent’s family to explore improvements in care provided.
A GoFundMe campaign refers to Vincent as a ‘miracle baby’ after surviving the incident. While initial evaluations suggested possible brain damage, subsequent testing showed none. Vincent remains in recovery, requiring extensive therapy and medical attention.
Fox News Digital is reaching out for additional comments on this case.