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Nurse arrested in rape of woman who gave birth at facility
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PHOENIX (AP) — A nurse who was looking after an incapacitated woman at a long-term health care facility has been charged with raping her, weeks after she stunned her caregivers and family by giving birth to a baby boy, Phoenix police said today.
Investigators arrested Nathan Sutherland, 36, a licensed practical nurse, on suspicion of one count of sexual assault and one count of vulnerable adult abuse, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said.
"We owed this arrest to the victim. We owed this arrest to the newest member of our community – that innocent baby," Williams said.
The surprise birth late last month triggered reviews by state agencies and highlighted safety concerns for patients who are severely disabled or incapacitated. It also prompted authorities to test the DNA of all the men who worked at the Hacienda HealthCare facility.
Sutherland submitted his DNA sample under court order Tuesday and the results came back a few hours later, showing he was a match to the baby. He declined to speak with police and invoked his Fifth Amendment rights, Thompson said.
Hacienda officials fired Sutherland today after learning of his arrest. The company said it was "troubled beyond words." Sutherland had passed an extensive background check.
"Once again, we offer an apology and send our deepest sympathies to the client and her family, to the community and to our agency partners at every level," Hacienda said in a statement.
The 29-year-old victim has been in long-term care since the age of 3 and gave birth at the facility Dec. 29. Employees said they had no idea she was pregnant. As her guardian, the woman's mother was required to submit an annual report to the court that included results of a medical exam.
The case has prompted the departure or discipline of key figures at Hacienda HealthCare, including the CEO. The provider Sunday announced that one doctor who had cared for the woman resigned and another had been suspended.