Two-year-old Domenico died at the Monaldi hospital in Naples after a two-month fight for life that followed a transplant of a damaged heart. The boy suffered from dilated cardiomyopathy, but the organ used in the operation was reportedly 'scorched' during transport. The Italian prosecutor's office has already brought charges against six doctors, and the family is demanding justice, accusing medical staff of hiding the truth about the condition of the implanted organ for many weeks after the procedure.

Charges for Medical Staff

Six employees of Monaldi Hospital have been notified that they are under investigation in the case of the boy's death.

Defect of the Transplanted Heart

Investigators are examining the thread of using an organ that was thermally damaged during transport to Naples.

Wave of Social Support

Club SSC Napoli and fans across the country paid tribute to Domenico, demanding a full explanation of the case.

Warning Against Scammers

Domenico's family condemned false fundraising campaigns set up by online scammers under their name.

The tragedy of two-year-old Domenico, who died on Saturday morning at the Monaldi hospital in Naples, has shaken all of Italy. For 60 days after the procedure, the boy was connected to ECMO equipment, which artificially sustained his vital functions. The investigation focuses on events in December, when a heart that had suffered thermal damage (described as 'scorched') during transport was used for the transplant. The prosecutor's office in Naples is conducting an investigation into involuntary manslaughter, and six members of the medical staff currently have suspect status. The child's mother, Patrizia Mercolino, in emotional interviews, emphasizes that she feels betrayed by the doctors she trusted. She claims that for a long time, she was given false information about her son's health and the reasons for the operation's failure. After the boy's death, the Naples police (NAS) secured the mobile phones of the medical team members and hospital documentation. At the same time, the family warns against online scammers who, under the guise of fundraising for Domenico's funeral, are attempting to extort money. The family's lawyer has already announced the filing of criminal reports regarding these manipulations. Italy's transplantology system is regulated by rigorous organ safety procedures, but incidents related to their logistics and quality assessment rarely lead to such tragic legal consequences. In a gesture of solidarity with the family, the professional football club SSC Napoli wore black armbands during a league match. In the town of Nola, where the boy was from, a national day of mourning was declared, which will be in effect on the day of his funeral. Public figures have also spoken out, including the famous swimmer Federica Pellegrini, who called the situation heart-wrenching and called for clarification of the adults' mistakes, for which an innocent child paid. „Finché non saprò la verità non posso dire chi ha sbagliato, ma qualcuno parlerà, deve parlare. Perché mio figlio adesso non c’è più e se n’è andato per colpa di qualcuno, anzi più di uno.” (Until I know the truth, I cannot say who made a mistake, but someone will speak, must speak. Because my son is no longer here, and he is gone because of someone, in fact more than one.) — Patrizia Mercolino

Mentioned People

  • Patrizia Mercolino — Mother of the deceased Domenico, a key figure demanding justice and clarification of the medical error.
  • Federica Pellegrini — Italian swimmer, Olympic champion, who publicly expressed condolences to the boy's family.
  • Andrea Ruggiero — Mayor of Nola, who declared a city day of mourning on the day of the child's funeral.