Police to DNA test all male care home staff after woman in vegetative state has baby

Patient’s family voice outrage over ‘deeply disturbing’ sex abuse case

A warrant to obtain DNA from all male employees at a care centre where a woman gave birth despite being in a vegetative state for 14 years, has been served by police in Arizona.

Lawyers for the patient’s parents said they were outraged at the “neglect of their daughter” at the nursing home in Phoenix.

Police launched a sexual abuse investigation after the woman delivered a baby boy on 29 December.

She had been a patient at Hacienda Healthcare for more than a decade after a near-drowning left her severely brain damaged.

The facility said it welcomed the DNA testing of employees and its chief executive had stepped down over the scandal.

“We will continue to cooperate with Phoenix police and all other investigative agencies to uncover the facts in this deeply disturbing, but unprecedented situation,” a company statement said.

It is unclear whether carers were aware of the patient’s pregnancy until the birth.

The San Carlos Apache tribe, of which the woman was a member, said she remained in a vegetative state when she delivered her son.

“I am deeply shocked and horrified at the treatment of one of our members,” tribal chairman Terry Rambler said. “When you have a loved one committed to palliative care, when they are most vulnerable and dependent upon others, you trust their caretakers. Sadly, one of her caretakers was not to be trusted and took advantage of her. It is my hope that justice will be served.”

The family of the woman, who has not been identified, released a statement condemning the abuse.

Their lawyer, John Micheaels, added: “The family would like me to convey that the baby boy has been born into a loving family and will be well cared for.”

A spokesperson for Hacienda Healthcare said investigators served a search warrant to obtain DNA samples from all male workers.

Board member Gary Orman said in a statement that the facility “will accept nothing less than a full accounting of this absolutely horrifying situation”.

He added: “We will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of every single one of our patients and our employees.”

Hacienda chief executive Bill Timmons resigned earlier this week. His decision was unanimously accepted by the firm’s board of directors, a spokesperson said.

The facility provides 24-hour care for children and young adults who are “medically fragile” or have developmental disabilities, according to its website.

The Arizona Department of Health Services said new safety measures had been implemented in the wake of the scandal, including increased staff presence during any patient interaction and additional security measures for visitors.

Hacienda Healthcare would be unlikely to escape liability in court if the woman’s family bring legal action, according to legal experts.

“Things like this don’t happen without someone either knowing about it or should have known about it,” said Martin Solomon, a personal injury lawyer in Phoenix whose clients are mostly vulnerable adult victims of abuse and neglect. “Whether it’s an employee or someone from the outside, the facility has an obligation to protect residents.”

Additional reporting by agencies