Nurse arrested over US care home patient pregnancy

Nathan Sutherland, 36, was responsible for the woman's care, authorities said. / AGENCIES
Nathan Sutherland, 36, was responsible for the woman's care, authorities said. / AGENCIES

A nurse in Arizona has been charged with sexual assault after a vulnerable patient under his care gave birth.

The suspect has been named as Nathan Sutherland, 36, who worked at the Hacienda Healthcare clinic.

The 29-year-old patient, who has reportedly been in the care of the clinic since she was a toddler, gave birth on 29 December.

Staff at the facility said at the time that they were unaware she was pregnant until she went into labour.

The child, a boy, is now in the care of the patient's family and is said to be doing well.

"We can't always choose how we come into this life, but we as a community can choose to love this child," Police Sgt Tommy Thompson told reporters.

Phoenix police chief Jeri Williams said Mr Sutherland was identified through "good old-fashioned police work".

After the birth, an investigation was launched into sexual assault because the woman's condition renders her unable to give consent.

Sutherland submitted a DNA sample under a court order. A test showed his DNA positively matched with the child.

He has been charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of abusing a vulnerable adult.

"We owed this arrest to the victim," Chief Williams said. "We owed this arrest to the newest member of our community, that innocent baby."

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