Report: Sex abuse investigation underway after patient in vegetative state gives birth
Report: Sex abuse investigation underway after a patient in vegetative state for nearly a decade gives birth.
A woman who has been in a vegetative state since she nearly drowned 10 years ago has reportedly given birth to a baby last month, prompting a sex abuse investigation at the Phoenix-area nursing facility, AZ Family reported.
The baby was born on Dec. 29 and is doing well, according to the report. The woman is reportedly a patient at Hacienda HealthCare in Phoenix. A source familiar with the situation told AZ Family that "none of the staff were aware that she was pregnant until she was pretty much giving birth."
"From what I’ve been told she was moaning. And they didn’t know what was wrong with her," the source said.
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The source told AZ Family that the patient required constant care and that many people had access to her room.
The facility has reportedly changed protocol after the Dec. 29 birth. Male staff needing to enter a female room are required to bring a female employee with them, the source said.
A Hacienda HealthCare nurse declined Fox News' request for comment because it would be a HIPPA violation and referred questions to the CEO of the nursing facility. Phoenix Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment.
Hacienda issued a statement to AZ Family and said it has been in business in the valley for over 50 years and "has an outstanding reputation providing high quality specialized care for our patients."
"As a Healthcare provider, we cannot comment on any patient due to Federal and State privacy laws. Additionally, we cannot comment on any ongoing investigations. We can say that our patients and clients health and safety is our #1 priority and that we always cooperate, when asked by any agency, in an open and transparent way."
Authorities are investigating the facility for possible sex abuse, AZ Family reported. No further details were released.
Fox News' Amy Lieu contributed to this report.
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