‘Deeply disturbing’: Phoenix police investigate after woman in a coma for a decade gives birth
- Patient went into labour on December 29, but health care staff were unaware she was pregnant
Phoenix police on Saturday were investigating reports of a sexual assault after a woman who has been in a vegetative state in hospital for the past decade gave birth.
The woman, who was incapacitated in a drowning incident, was a patient at Hacienda HealthCare when she went into labour on December 29 and delivered a baby boy, according to local media. No one knew she was pregnant and health care staff were initially unsure why she was moaning, the reports said.
“This matter is currently under investigation by the Phoenix Police Department,” Sergeant Tommy Thompson said when asked about the media reports.
Hacienda spokesman David Leibowitz said the facility had recently become aware of a “deeply disturbing incident” involving one of its residents.
He declined to say whether staff were being asked to undergo DNA testing to identify a possible suspect, or if the facility was taking any preventive measures to protect patients against a similar situation.