Nurse, 36, charged with raping quadriplegic patient who gave birth while in a vegetative state for 26 years – Nathan Sutherland’s DNA proved a match with the child’s
Nathan Sutherland was arrested Tuesday, accused of raping and impregnating quadriplegic patient who has been in a vegetative state after the medic’s DNA matched with surprise the baby boy
Sutherland, 36, a licensed practical nurse was directly responsible for the victim’s primary care at the Hacienda HealthCare Facility
He was compelled to submit to a DNA test, and subsequently was arrested after he proved a match with the baby
The victim has been at the hospice since 1992 after suffering a near-drowning, aged three
The 29-year-old gave birth on Dec 29, having been raped at the facility
Shevsuffers frequent seizures, is a quadriplegic who has been in a vegetative state for 26 years, her family said
Dr. Nguyen one of her doctors was suspended by the healthcare board, while her other physician, Dr. Gear, resigned
Sutherland was booked into Maricopa County Jail Wednesday, charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of vulnerable adult abuse
The baby is ‘doing well’ according to police and has been released from hospital
Police are now investigating whether any other resident have been abused inside the 60-bed facility
Hacienda HealthCare in Phoenix where a 29-year-old woman gave birth despite being incapacitated for more than a decade
A male nurse has been arrested in Arizona on suspicion of raping a quadriplegic woman who gave suddenly birth despite being in a vegetative state for 26 years, police revealed on Wednesday.
Nathan Sutherland, 36, has been taken into custody and now faces one charge of sexual assault and one count of vulnerable adult abuse after a DNA test identified him as the father.
Rape suspect Nathan Sutherland [photo], was booked into Maricopa County Jail Wednesday, charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of vulnerable adult abuse
Sutherland a licensed practical nurse was directly responsible for the victim’s primary care at the Hacienda HealthCare Facility, according to police.
Authorities obtained a search warrant compelling Sutherland to give a DNA sample Tuesday morning. A few hours later, he was in handcuffs.
The defendant allegedly refused to answer investigator’s questions after his arrest.
The birth — and the sexual assault of a vulnerable individual that must have preceded it — cast a harsh glare on conditions at a nonprofit organization that bills itself as a leading provider of health care for Phoenix’s medically fragile.
‘From the minute we first became aware of the crime, we have virtually worked non stop seven days a week to resolve this case,’ Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said in a press conference on Wednesday.
Staff at Hacienda HealthCare in Phoenix [photo], AZ, had been giving round the clock care to the female patient who has been in a vegetative state for 26 years
The woman gave birth to a baby boy on December 29 as staff at Hacienda HealthCare frantically called 911 for assistance, telling an operator that they had not known the 112-pound patient was pregnant.
The baby has since been released from the hospital and the victim’s family have said they will take care of the boy.
“The baby I am told is doing good,” Phoenix police Sergeant Tommy Thomson said.
A lawyer for the woman’s family has said the infant “has been born into a loving family and will be well cared for,” according to The New York Times. Related: Sick! Sick!! Sick!!! Woman in a permanent vegetative state since nearly drowning 10 years ago, gives birth in Phoenix health care facility – Cops launch sex abuse investigation
Police launch sex abuse investigation after a woman who has been in a permanent vegetative state since nearly drowning 10 years ago gave birth Staff at Hacienda HealthCare in […]
According to the victim’s family, their daughter’s condition includes severe brain damage, seizure disorder, and psycho-motor retardation.
She’s been in a vegetative state for 26 years and is quadriplegic.
‘She does not speak but has some ability to move her limbs, head and neck,’ The family’s attorney said in a statement.
‘The important thing here is that contrary to what’s been reported, she is a person, albeit with significant intellectual disabilities.
‘She has feelings, likes to be read to, enjoys soft music and is capable of responding to people she is familiar with, especially family.’
Sgt. Tommy Thompson said investigators are working to determine whether other patients at the facility have been abused.
The two doctors responsible for overseeing the care of victim been identified, just days after the hospital announced the pair would no longer be treating patients there.
Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams addressed the media following the arrest of suspect Nathan Sutherland in the Hacienda rape case, on Wednesday
On Monday, the Hacienda HealthCare Facility revealed one doctor overseeing the unnamed woman’s care had been suspended, and another doctor had resigned.
Dr. Thanh Nguyen has been revealed as the victim’s primary care doctor in a suspension letter obtained by CBS News.
Issued on January 15 – 10 days after the story first broke – the letter, addessed to Nguyen, states he placed ‘one or more’ of his patients’ heath and welfare ‘in danger’.
Nguyen has been suspended without pay until a full internal investigation is carried out by the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).
Sutherland was booked into Maricopa County Jail Wednesday, charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of vulnerable adult abuse. Maricopa County Superior Court records show Sutherland has not been charged with any other major crimes.
Thompson said they are still working to determine whether Sutherland assaulted other victims inside the 60-bed facility.
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