AZ Woman in vegetative state gives birth, rape investigation underway

Arizona authorities are investigating a possible rape case involving a female patient in a vegetative state in a nursing facility.

The woman stunned employees after giving birth to a child, not being aware of her pregnancy.

According to KPHO in Phoenix, the woman has been in a vegetative state at the facility for at least 14 years after a near-drowning incident.

The woman gave birth to a healthy baby boy on December 29, however, nobody knows who did this to her.

Reporter Briana Whitney asked an employee what first went through their mind when they heard about the incident. “How could it happen? And just anger and sadness, and sick to my stomach,” said the employee, who asked not to be identified. Whitney said employees couldn’t believe what was happening inside the alleged victim’s room. “From what I’ve been told, she was moaning. And they didn’t know what was wrong with her. There was a nurse that was there, and from what I heard she’s the one that delivered the baby,” the employee answered. Adult Protective Services told KPHO they immediately dispatched a team to conduct health and safety checks on all members of the facility. The Arizona Department of Health released a statement and said they are working with law enforcement in their criminal investigation. No suspects have been named. Sources told KPHO the patient required round the clock care, and many would have access to her room. This comes after the employee said the facility changed protocol this week. “I was told that as of now if a male staff needs to enter a female room, that they need to bring in a female employee with them,” the employee said. Sources told KPHO the woman was raped in the most vulnerable state. “So she had no way to defend herself in this sort of situation?” Whitney asked. “No none whatsoever. Not even able to communicate the fact that she was pregnant,” the employee responded.