Nurse charged with sexual assault after woman in vegetative state gives birth

Police arrested a 36-year-old nurse Wednesday on suspicion of sexual assault and abuse of a vulnerable adult after a woman who had been in a vegetative state since a near-drowning incident nearly a decade ago gave birth to a child last month.

Police Chief Jeri Williams said Nathan Sutherland was being booked into Maricopa County Jail on Wednesday. Williams said Sutherland was caring for the victim as a licensed practical nurse at Hacienda HealthCare before she gave birth to a boy on Dec. 29.

“Our information was that he was employed and did work at that facility since about 2011,” Sgt. Tommy Thompson told reporters Wednesday at a news conference.

Check back for updates to this developing story.

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