Nurse arrested in assault, impregnation of patient
PHOENIX – Police arrested a 36-year-old nurse at Hacienda HealthCare facility, alleging he sexually assaulted and impregnated an incapacitated woman at the center.
The woman gave birth to a boy Dec. 29. Staff members told a 911 operator that they had not known she was pregnant.
“From the minute we first became aware of the crime, we have virtually worked nonstop seven days a week to resolve this case,” Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams said in announcing the arrest Wednesday morning.
Williams joined Mayor Thelda Williams at police headquarters for an update on the case Wednesday.
The suspect, Nathan Sutherland, is a licensed practical nurse who was primarily responsible for caring for the woman at the time of the assault. He has worked at Hacienda since 2011.
He was booked into Maricopa County Jail on Wednesday. At an initial hearing, his attorney said there was “minimum” evidence his client committed the crime.
A court commissioner set bail at $500,000.
The parents of the patient who gave birth are aware of the arrest.
State records show Sutherland was licensed as a clinical nursing assistant in 2005 before he became a licensed practical nurse. Hacienda HealthCare officials said Sutherland went through an “extensive background check” when he was hired.
He was terminated “the moment our leadership team learned of his arrest,” said a statement the facility released Wednesday morning.
“Every member of the Hacienda organization is troubled beyond words to think that a licensed practical nurse could be capable of seriously harming a patient,” the statement said. “Once again, we offer an apology and send our deepest sympathies to the client and her family, to the community and to our agency partners at every level.” Officials with the nonprofit health care company will “continue to review and improve what is already an in-depth vetting process for caregivers at Hacienda,” the statement said.
The Phoenix police crime lab determined Tuesday that a DNA sample taken from Sutherland matched the baby’s DNA. Sutherland was arrested the same day.
Police announced they would test the DNA of all the facility’s employees.
Police Sgt. Tommy Thompson said police didn’t have the opportunity to collect Sutherland’s DNA through a court order until Tuesday.
Sutherland was charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of vulnerable adult abuse.
“Every member of the Hacienda organization is troubled beyond words to think that a licensed practical nurse could be capable of seriously harming a patient.”
Hacienda HealthCare