A male nurse was arrested in the case of an incapacitated woman who gave birth last month at an Arizona health care facility, it was reported.
Police arrested 36-year-old Nathan Sutherland on one count of sexual assault and one count of vulnerable adult abuse, Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams confirmed.
“Every member of the Hacienda organization is troubled beyond words to think that a licensed practical nurse could be capable of seriously harming a patient,” said a statement from Hacienda Healthcare, where the incident took place.
Sutherland went through an “extensive background check” before he was fired, adding that he was fired “the moment our leadership team learned of his arrest,” Hacienda said.
“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,” the Hacienda statement said.
Male staff working at the Hacienda facility were ordered by police to submit DNA tests as part of their investigation into the sexual assault case.
Sutherland’s DNA wasn’t volunteered, and police had to file a court order which passed on Tuesday, Jan. 23.
The same day the DNA tests came back with a match, Sutherland was arrested, according to reports.
According to the Mail, Sutherland, who became a clinical nursing assistant in 2005, is said to tour local churches and perform Christian rap songs in the group “SLEEPLESSOULJAZ” along with his sister.
“My parents split up in Haiti and I remember my mom couldn’t take care of us, so she took us to an orphanage,” he said in 2011, the paper reported.
More Security
Hacienda Healthcare said that it boosted security in the past two weeks to ensure patients’ safety following the Dec. 29 birth.
“We will continue to do so,” the facility said. “We also will continue to review and improve what is already an in-depth vetting process for caregivers at Hacienda. We will not tolerate any mistreatment of a Hacienda patient, nor will we stop until every Hacienda patient is as safe as we can make them.”
Earlier stories had described the patient as being comatose or in a vegetative state. But her parents released a statement on Tuesday disputing that characterization. They described her instead as intellectually disabled because of seizures in early childhood. While she doesn’t speak, she has some mobility in her limbs, head and neck. She also responds to sound and can make facial gestures, according to The Associated Press.
Several weeks ago, the assault—and reports of prior scandals—ensnared Hacienda CEO Bill Timmons, who submitted his resignation.
Thompson said he believes the baby has since been released from the hospital. The woman’s family has said they will care for him.
