Kiara had been admitted to Faustino Riscarolli Hospital in Correia Pinto, Santa Catarina, in the early hours of October 19, where doctors declared her deceased after determining she had no heartbeat or signs of life.
Two hours after Kiara was pronounced dead, funeral director Aureo Arruda Ramos collected her body from the morgue, and her parents began planning her funeral, which took place later that evening. However, during the service, at around 7 p.m., a mourner observed movement in the baby’s hand in the open coffin.
One attendee touched the baby’s hand, and her fingers reportedly curled, sparking a frantic rush to provide the infant with urgent medical assistance.
Firefighter paramedics arrived and found that the baby still had a pulse and showed no signs of rigor mortis, which typically sets in six to eight hours after death. Her oxygen saturation level was at 84 percent, a concerning figure below the normal threshold of 90 percent. The paramedics quickly rushed her back to the hospital.
Despite their efforts, Kiara’s heart stopped again, and she was declared deceased for the second time within 24 hours. Her devastated father, Cristiano Santos, told local media, “We were already heartbroken. Then came a small glimmer of hope, but it ended tragically.”
The hospital, now under investigation by Brazil’s Scientific Police, admitted that the child had been declared dead 16 hours before she was found with a pulse at her funeral. The hospital later confirmed the death again after she was brought back.
Correia Pinto City Hall issued an apology to Kiara’s family and promised a thorough investigation, with a report expected in 30 days.
A spokesperson emphasized the importance of proper verification of patient conditions and stressed that all health professionals are regularly trained to prioritize the safety and well-being of citizens.
It remains unclear whether Kiara’s family plans to take legal action against the hospital.
