This is beyond brutal

January 7, 2019

A Woman In A Vegetative State For More Than A Decade Just Gave Birth And Now Police Are Investigating

Men working at the Hacienda Skilled Nursing Facility in Phoenix are reportedly no longer allowed in the rooms of female patients alone.

Phoenix police have opened an investigation into allegations that a woman in a vegetative state for more than a decade was sexually assaulted at a private nursing care facility — and recently gave birth to a baby boy.

Police spokesperson Sgt. Tommy Thompson confirmed to BuzzFeed News on Friday that detectives were looking into the Hacienda Skilled Nursing Facility but declined to provide further specific information, citing the ongoing investigation.

Local news outlets reported that the woman patient — who has not been identified — has been in a vegetative state for 14 years after a near-drowning incident. She reportedly gave birth to a baby boy on Dec. 29.

The story was first reported Thursday by AZ Family, a Phoenix CBS affiliate, after it was approached by a woman “familiar with the situation” who wished to remain anonymous.

The whistleblower, whose face was hidden and voice disguised for the televised segment, told reporter Briana Whitney she felt “anger and sadness” when she learned what had happened to the patient.