A few years ago, the Hacienda HealthCare sexual assault saga sent shockwaves across the community in Phoenix, Arizona, and the globe. Nathan Sutherland, the former nurse from the facility, pleaded guilty to sexual abuse charges and admitted to exploiting the vulnerability of an incapacitated woman. The man was sentenced to 10 years in person as the impact of the disturbing ordeal can still be felt in the medical community.
The Hacienda HealthCare sexual assault case
The scandal came to light in December 2018 when an employee at Hacienda HealthCare made a startling discovery while changing the garments of a 29-year-old incapacitated woman.
I am sickened by what’s been disclosed about the rape and subsequent childbirth by a disabled woman at Hacienda HealthCare. And, I’m appalled by the latest disclosure about the senior leadership’s behavior and the lack of action by its board of directors. 1/6
— Doug Ducey (@DougDucey) January 25, 2019
The woman, who had resided at the facility for 26 years due to a brain disorder, was in the process of delivering a child. The revelation bewildered staff members, as they knew nothing about the woman’s pregnancy and how it could have happened.
Identifying Nathan Sutherland as the perpetrator
Authorities began investigating the cause behind the victim’s pregnancy, and soon they identified Nathan Sutherland as the man behind the sexual assault. The perpetrator was a licensed practical nurse at the Hacienda HealthCare facility in Phoenix, where the victim was a patient.
Following his arrest, Hacienda HealthCare fired Nathan Sutherland as he voluntarily surrendered his nursing license later. Investigators connected Sutherland to the crime through DNA evidence matching a sample from the victim’s child.
Outcome of the sexual assault case
After months of legal proceedings, Nathan Sutherland pleaded guilty to sexual abuse and vulnerable adult abuse charges in September 2021. The judge imposed a 10-year prison term on Sutherland, in addition to a lifetime of probation after registering as a sex offender.
JUST IN: Mugshot of 36-year-old Nathan Sutherland who is accused of raping and impregnating a woman in a vegetative state at #HaciendaHealthcare …. Police say his DNA matched the baby. @FOX10Phoenix #Fox10phoenix pic.twitter.com/joqPvZItiR
— JENNIFER MARTINEZ (@Jennifer_Fox10) January 23, 2019
The case shifted the administration of Hacienda HealthCare completely. Then-CEO Bill Timmons resigned immediately as authorities shut down the Phoenix facility. However, they regained their license after Perry Petrilli took over as CEO.
The victim’s family filed a $45 million lawsuit against the State of Arizona, claiming negligence in monitoring long-term care facilities. In June 2021, a $15 million settlement was reached, along with a $7.5 million settlement from the State of Arizona.
Nathan Sutherland and the victim today
The Haiti-born Nathan Sutherland expressed his remorse in court during the proceedings. He blamed a traumatic upbringing and subsequent depression and drug use for his inhuman actions at the Hacienda HealthCare facility.
Nathan Sutherland is incarcerated and serving his 10-year sentence for the sexual assault case at Hacienda HealthCare. At the time of his arrest, he was married and had four children.
The victim gave birth to Sutherland’s baby boy in December 2018. Sutherland had been her caretaker for over six years at the facility. Details of the victim and family have not been revealed to protect their privacy.
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