A licensed practical nurse was charged with sexual assault in the case of the woman with "significant intellectual disabilities" who gave birth at a Phoenix health care facility, authorities said Wednesday.
Nathan Sutherland, 36, was nabbed by Phoenix police Tuesday, Chief Jeri Williams said in a press conference.
Sutherland also faces one count of vulnerable adult abuse. He was still working at the facility at the time of his arrest, according to Williams.
Police were led to Sutherland after conducting DNA tests for the male employees at the Hacienda HealthCare facility, and his matched the baby's, Sgt. Tommy Thompson said.
The news comes nearly a month after a 29-year-old female patient with extreme disabilities shockingly gave birth at the facility. Previous reports indicated the woman was comatose _ however, her lawyer said she was conscious.
"Contrary to what's been reported, she is a person, albeit with significant intellectual disabilities," Attorney John Micheaels told The Arizona Republic. "She has feelings and is capable of responding to people she is familiar with, especially family."
The woman had been a patient at the facility since she was 3, according to the paper.
It was not immediately clear what type of care Sutherland performed for the woman, police said.
Two physicians who were responsible for caring for the patient were no longer at the facility, Hacienda HealthCare said. One was suspended and the other resigned.
"The investigation was, and still is, the highest priority of our police department," Williams said.
The baby is reportedly doing "quite well" and believed to have left the hospital.
"We can't always choose how we come into this life, but we can choose as a community to love this child," Williams said.
