An 18‑month‑old boy nearly drowned during a Super Bowl party in Gilbert, Arizona, after his parents failed to supervise him while under the influence of marijuana.
Police later recommended that the boy’s parents face felony child abuse charges. The Maricopa County Attorney’s Office is reviewing the recommendation, but no charges have been filed to date.
Investigators determined the child disappeared from view during the gathering, only to be found face‑down in a backyard pool. Both parents admitted to smoking marijuana during the event, a factor that contributed to their impaired supervision.
First responders recovered the boy from the water and transported him to Mercy Gilbert Medical Center, where a doctor pronounced him dead that evening. Hours later, hospital staff discovered he was still alive and breathing after he had already been placed in the morgue.
Medical personnel noted the child was exhibiting agonal breathing, a reflex that can mimic death. A nurse later detected a pulse, but the physician who made the initial determination had instructed staff to halt lifesaving measures, a decision that was not challenged by authorities.
Following the incident, the hospital conducted a review of the care provided, with the intent of identifying procedural improvements. No criminal charges have been brought against the medical staff involved.
The boy was airlifted to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for treatment, where he has required extensive therapy and ongoing medical monitoring. Early imaging indicated potential brain injury, but subsequent tests found no lasting damage.
Authorities continue to investigate the case, and the parents remain under scrutiny as the legal process unfolds.
