Toddler Who 'Woke Up' at Own Funeral Declared Dead

Reports say doctor re-examined the child, confirmed her death
By Jenn Gidman,  Newser Staff
Posted Jul 14, 2014 11:59 AM CDT
Updated Jul 16, 2014 11:42 AM CDT

A toddler who "woke up" at her own funeral has been confirmed dead and was laid to rest yesterday, reports the Sun-Star Zamboanga. Mourners at the 3-year-old's first funeral Sunday say they witnessed the girl showing vital signs and moving her head during church services, according to the original report in the Philippine Star—this YouTube video was said to be taken at the funeral as someone gently lifted the toddler out of the wooden coffin, bundled her up, and scurried out of frame. The girl was reportedly given water and immediately rushed to a nearby clinic after a pulse confirmed she was alive, the local police chief told the Star. According to the Sydney Morning Herald and KRMG, the girl was then returned home and remained in a coma until her death was confirmed Monday.

An Aurora city official tells the Sun-Star that a doctor was sent to the girl's home after health officials heard that relatives wouldn't bury her because she was alive. According to news.com.au, the doctor used a cardiac monitor to confirm her death, then advised her parents to bury the body soon to prevent the spread of disease—and the Aurora city official confirms to the Sun-Star that she was laid to rest yesterday. The girl had suffered from a severe fever for several days last week and was pronounced dead (the first time) on Saturday, according to the Aurora police chief. This isn’t (by far) the first time that “dead” people have made the news for waking up (click here, here, and here for examples—and also here and here).

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