Last month the woman gave birth to a baby boy at the Hacienda HealthCare centre in Phoenix, Arizona, in the US The woman has been in a “vegetative state” for fourteen years after nearly drowning. Police have now issued a search warrant for DNA swabs from male workers in the healthcare facility where the woman became pregnant.
Phoenix attorney John Michaels said in a statement: “The family is obviously outraged, traumatised and in shock by the abuse and neglect of their daughter as Hacienda Healthcare.
“The family is well aware of the intense news and public interest in their daughter’s case, but at this time is not emotionally ready to make a public statement.
“The family would like me to convey that the baby boy has been born into a loving family and will be well cared for.”
Hacienda HealthCare said they accepted DNA testing of its employees and will cooperate with officials.
They said in a statement: “We will continue to cooperate with Pheonix police and all other investigative agencies to uncover the facts in this deeply disturbing, but unprecedented situation.”
The CEO of Hacienda HealthCare Bill Timmons resigned on Monday, the centre confirmed in a statement.
Executive vice president of the board Gary Orman said Hacienda “will accept nothing less than a full accounting of this absolutely horrifying situation, an unprecedented case that has devastated everyone involved, from the victim and her family to Hacienda staff at every level of our organisation.”
AZ Family reported a source at Hacienda HeathCare said “none of the staff were aware she was pregnant until she way pretty much giving birth”.
The chairman of the San Carlos Apache Tribe, which the woman is part of, Terry Rambler told CNN: “When you have a loved one committed to palliative care, when they re most vulnerable and dependent upon others, you trust their caretakers.”
“Sadly, one of her caretaker was not to be trusted and took advantage of her. it is my hope that justice will be served.”
San Carlos Apache Police Chief Alejandro Benally said Pheonix police “will do all they can to find the perpetrator.”