09 September 2023 , 22:00
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New body camera footage shows the confusion and dismay of staff at an Arizona care facility after a patient in a vegetative state unexpectedly gave birth in December 2018.
The video, released following a Freedom of Information request, captures the initial moments as employees at Hacienda HealthCare in Phoenix reacted to the surprise delivery. Crying nurses are seen recounting their disbelief to police, with one saying "when I looked, it was a baby" after discovering the infant's head while changing the victim's diaper.
The 29-year-old woman had been in a coma since age 3 and was unable to move or communicate. She had lived at Hacienda for 26 years prior to the birth. Her medical conditions, stemming from a brain disorder, caused motor and cognitive impairment, vision loss, and no functional limb use.
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The footage documents the initial police response and staff reactions at Hacienda Healthcare after the patient gave birth. (AZ Family WS)Male nurse Nathan Sutherland was later identified through compulsory staff DNA tests as the rapist and convicted of sexual assault. He was jailed for 10 years. He blamed his actions on being abused at an orphanage and neglected by his mother. At sentencing, he offered an apology saying, "You do not deserve to be hurt. I am very sorry."
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The bodycam video shows police questioning facility employees about the patient's records and visitor logs. One officer asks, "No males ever go into her room allegedly?" A nurse replies, "No."
Now almost 5 years later, the baby boy is being cared for by the victim's family. His mother remains in another facility and is said to be healthy. Hacienda has instituted many reforms but said in a statement that "nothing can change that awful day."
The release of the video came nearly 5 years after the December 2018 birth (AZ Family WS)Following this week's release of the distressing footage, Hacienda Healthcare issued a statement. It said: "Seeing video from that night almost 5 years ago is still gut-wrenching. Our hearts again go out to the victim and her family - and we remain disgusted by the behavior of the nurse who harmed a patient.
"Almost 5 years later, virtually everything about Hacienda HealthCare is different. We have new board members, new leaders, new personnel, new security infrastructure, new procedures, and new resident care protocols.
'We have implemented every change required by state and federal agencies - plus our own improvements - and we have passed multiple inspections since then. Nothing can change that awful day, but we have worked diligently every day since to make sure no one in our care ever again suffers harm."