- The same vegetative state that she’s been in for the last 14 years.
A woman was raped and got pregnant, all while she was in Hacienda, a healthcare facility in Phoenix, Arizona. No one had any idea that she was pregnant and were stunned when she went into labor last week.
Apparently, the patient started moaning and a nurse ended up delivering the baby, who came out a healthy baby boy. Because of her around-the-clock care, lots of people had access to the woman’s room.
Both the Adult Protective Services and the Arizona Health Department are looking into the rape.
“Hacienda Healthcare has been in business in the valley for over 50 years, and has an outstanding reputation providing high quality specialized care for our patients. As a Healthcare provider, we cannot comment on any patient due to Federal and State privacy laws. Additionally, we cannot comment on any ongoing investigations. We can say that our patients and clients health and safety is our #1 priority and that we always cooperate, when asked by any agency, in an open and transparent way.”
A statement from the Arizona Department of Health Services said:
“We are aware of this situation and are actively working with local law enforcement in their criminal investigation. Upon learning of the allegation, Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) immediately initiated an onsite complaint investigation to ensure the health and safety of the patients and ensure the facility is in compliance with all state laws and regulations. During this time, the agency has required heightened safety measures be implemented at the facility including increased staff presence during patient interactions, increased monitoring of the patient care areas, and increased security measures with respect to visitors at the facility.”
Nathan Sutherland, a licensed practical nurse, has been charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of vulnerable adult abuse, according to Maricopa County Superior Court. He was caught when he provided DNA and it was determined that the baby was his.
Sutherland isn’t saying anything and a judge set a cash bond at $500,000 with a court appearance scheduled for January 30th. There are still investigations to try and determine whether he assaulted anyone else or not.
“We owed this arrest to the victim. We owed this arrest to the newest member of our community – that innocent baby,” Phoenix police Chief Jeri Williams said.
Poor girl. What a sad, odd, story.