Lawyer says Incapacitated woman who gave birth not in coma

PHOENIX: A lawyer for the family of an incapacitated Arizona woman who gave birth in a longterm care facility said she is not in a coma as previously reported.

The Arizona Republic reported that attorney John Micheaels said the 29-year-old woman has “significant intellectual disabilities” and does not speak but has some ability to move, responds to sounds and is able to make facial gestures.

Phoenix police have said the woman was the victim of a sexual assault and have disclosed little other information.

A January 8 statement by San Carlos Apache Tribe officials said the woman, a tribal member, gave birth while in a coma.

News media outlets have reported that the woman, who has not been publicly identified, was in a vegetative state at the facility where she spent many years.

“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,” Micheaels told the newspaper.

He responded to a request Saturday by The Associated Press for comment by saying in an email that the information reported in the Republic is correct. He did not comment further. The woman gave birth to a baby boy on December 29 as staff at Hacienda Healthcare frantically called 911 for assistance.