AZ Arrest Made In “Vegetative State” Woman Who Gave Birth Inside Phoenix Hospice

PHOENIX, AZ. (THECOUNT) — Phoenix Police say they have arrested former facility worker, Nathan Sutherland for impregnating an Arizona woman who has been in a vegetative state for 14 years.

The Phoenix Police Department announced the arrest of Sutherland, 36, Wednesday morning in the Hacienda Healthcare rape investigation.

Phoenix police chief Jeri Williams said police believe the suspect they arrested is responsible for sexual assaulting the woman who gave birth at the Phoenix facility.

Sutherland, who worked at the facility and provided care for the woman, was the suspect arrested, according to reports.

The unidentified victim left facility workers stunned after going into labor unexpectedly and eventually giving birth to a healthy baby. The incident has promoted Arizona authorities to open a rape investigation.

An employee familiar with the situation told wkrg, the woman began “moaning” for an unknown reason and that an on-staff nurse eventually assisted in a successful child birth. “None of the staff were aware that she was pregnant until she was pretty much giving birth,” the employee revealed.

“From what I’ve been told, she was moaning. And they didn’t know what was wrong with her,” said the employee, “there was a nurse that was there, and from what I heard she’s the one that delivered the baby.”

The employee says the baby was delivered alive and healthy.

Adult protective services says after hearing the allegations, they immediately dispatched a team to conduct health and safety checks on all members living in the facility. The Arizona Department of Health says they are actively working with local law enforcement in their criminal investigation. Right now, no suspects have been named. The employee says this patient required round the clock care, and many would have had access to her room. She also says the facility changed protocol this week, “I was told that as of now, if a male staff needs to enter a female room, that they need to bring in a female employee with them.” source

The incident has already prompted Hacienda Healthcare to change its policy of allowing male employees to enter a female room while unaccompanied. Now a male staff member must be accompanied by a female staff member in order to enter a female patient’s room.

According to its website, Hacienda Healthcare, located at, 1129 W Townley Ave, in Phoenix, AZ, services more than 2,500 people yearly.

Phoenix is the capital of the southwestern U.S. state of Arizona. Known for its year-round sun and warm temperatures, it anchors a sprawling, multi-city metropolitan area known as the Valley of the Sun. It’s known for high-end spa resorts, Jack Nicklaus–designed golf courses and vibrant nightclubs. Other highlights include the Desert Botanical Garden, displaying cacti and numerous native plants, source wikipedia.