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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World

Two doctors leave Arizona clinic where woman in vegetative state gave birth

Two doctors who looked after a severely disabled 29-year-old woman who gave birth in a care home are no longer working at the facility.

The woman, who is reported as being in a vegetative state, had a child at Hacienda HealthCare in Phoenix on December 29.

She had been in care in Arizona ince the age of three after a near drowning left her with "significant intellectual disabilities".

A statement from Hacienda Healthcare, reported by AZ central, said: “The two physicians who were responsible for the care of the sexual assault victim are no longer providing medical services to Hacienda patients. One has resigned. The second doctor has been suspended.

"Once again, we offer an apology and send our deepest sympathy to the client and her family. Hacienda intends to do everything possible to restore its credibility in the eyes of our patients, families, the community and our agency partners at every level."

This comes after Hacienda CEO Bill Timmons resigned following the birth, which shocked workers who claimed to have no idea the woman was going to have a child.

A police investigation is looking into the sexual assault which left her pregnant.

Phoenix Police spokesman Tommy Thompson speaks at a news conference in Phoenix, about the investigation of a woman at a long-term care facility who gave birth (AP)

Police Sergeant Tommy Thompson previously said the victim “not in a position to give consent”.

Police investigators have been collecting DNA samples from male employees at the facility as well as from any other men who could have had contact with the woman.

Regulators are also reviewing the facility in which she lived.

Last week a lawyer for the family of the woman recently said she is not in a coma as previously reported.

"The important thing here is that contrary to what's been reported, she is a person, albeit with significant intellectual disabilities. She has feelings and is capable of responding to people she is familiar with, especially family," John Micheaels told the Arizona Republic.

The woman does not speak but has some ability to move, responds to sounds and is able to make facial gestures.

Her mother described her in a May 29 annual guardian report filed in court as "an incapacitated adult."

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