Late last year, we were all shocked and horrified when we learned that an incapacitated Native American woman was found pregnant from what was clearly a rape by someone at her healthcare facility, Hacienda Healthcare.
A nurse from the facility was arrested after a DNA test proved that he was the father of the child.
The rapist is 36-year-old Nathan Sutherland and he was responsible for the victim’s care at the time of the attack.
The DNA from the baby, born December 29, was matched to Sutherland’s on Tuesday and he was taken into police custody.
On Wednesday, he was booked into Maricopa County Jail and has been charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of vulnerable adult abuse.
At the time of his arrest, Sutherland was still an employee at Hacienda Healthcare.
The facility made a statement regarding his arrest.
“Nathan Sutherland, who held a current state of Arizona practical nurse’s license and who had undergone an extensive background check upon hiring, was terminated from Hacienda the moment our leadership team learned of his arrest.”
They went on to say,
“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. 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.”
People are thankful that science allowed for the rapist to be identified.
Thank God they caught him
— Csb (@backlash_blues1) January 23, 2019
Finally…thank God!
— Rob (@RobertJ28658156) January 23, 2019
Thank God he's caught
— Suzi Dunn (@SuziDunn2) January 23, 2019
But mostly, people can not get past his despicable behavior.
this is fucking atrocious. people with disabilities often have no way to defend themselves, and the fact that they are repeatedly abused is absolutely horrifying. https://t.co/C5HH5CIP1c
— ang (@angelaasutchh) January 23, 2019
what a piece of shit
— old school (@pspsgnt) January 23, 2019
So shameful. So disgusting. The fact that this man calls himself a nurse ????https://t.co/4CMZGjWgbi
— Jen (@JBinzy84) January 23, 2019
The most disturbing and deplorable thing I have read. Poor woman , brought me to tears
— Catherine MM (@cattymill) January 23, 2019
On behalf of every nurse who took an oath, to be an advocate, a voice for those in need, to care for the sick, to protect the vulnerable, to give hope to the diseased…Nathan Sutherland, you are a disgrace! You used your profession to gain access to the weak, shame on you! pic.twitter.com/esjDb93WEd
— Sheyda Irani (@irani_sheyda) January 23, 2019
I’m thankful they apprehended the man guilty of raping that poor woman. Now, everyone that ignored all the signs, should be reprimanded as well. Find a new staff and let them go. Clearly they ignored signs and allowed this to happen. It’s despicable.
— Trish (@AdvocateTrish) January 23, 2019
Lowest of the low
— Mick Arps (@Mick64) January 23, 2019
The woman has been in the care of Hacienda Healthcare since the age of 3 after a near drowning.
Contrary to past reports, she is not in a vegetative state.
“She does not speak, but has some ability to move her limbs, head and neck. Their daughter responds to sound and is able to make facial gestures.”
