Parents' heartbreak as eight-month-old baby moves hand in coffin

An eight-month-old girl was rushed to hospital from her own funeral after horrified mourners noticed she was moving her hand in her coffin, adding to the misery experienced by her heartbroken parents.

Kiara Crislayne de Moura dos Santos was admitted to Faustino Riscarolli Hospital in Correia Pinto, in the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina, in the early hours of October 19.

Doctors ultimately determined the girl was not breathing and had no heartbeat and declared her dead shortly after she was admitted.  

Just two hours after Kiara was pronounced dead, funeral director Aureo Arruda Ramos collected her body from the morgue and with Kiara's parents began the grim task of making preparations for Kiara's funeral later that day.

The funeral got underway at 7pm that same day - but the service was brought to an abrupt halt when one attendee noticed the baby's hand was moving in her open coffin.

When one mourner rushed to the coffin and touched the baby's hand, her fingers reportedly curled, prompting a mad dash to get the infant vital aid in the hopes she could be saved.

Firefighter paramedics descended on the service and found the baby girl still had a pulse.

They also found no trace of rigor mortis which usually stiffens a body between six and eight hours after death.

Her oxygen saturation level was 84 per cent - well below the threshold of 90 per cent which is considered a serious health concern - and the paramedics rushed her back to hospital.

But by the time Kiara was taken back into care, her heart had stopped again and she was declared dead for a second time in less than 24 hours.

Her heartbroken dad Cristiano Santos told Brazilian media: 'We were devastated already. Then there came a little bit of hope, but then this ended up happening.'

The hospital, now facing an investigation by Brazil's specialist Scientific Police, admitted that they had declared the child died 16 hours before she was found to have a pulse at her funeral.

The same hospital confirmed the death again later when the child was once again brought back.

Correia Pinto City Hall later apologised to Kiara's family and promised a full investigation with a report in 30 days.

A spokesperson said: 'The Municipality of Correia Pinto reiterates its commitment to provide the best care for all citizens, and reinforces that, under no circumstances, can any professional issue certificates or statements without proper authentication of the patient's condition.

'In addition, all health professionals are constantly oriented and trained, ensuring that people's lives and well-being are always the priority.'

It is currently unclear whether Kiara's parents intend to pursue legal action against the hospital.