Nathan Sutherland: Nurse pleads not guilty to raping severely disabled woman in Arizona care home

The woman gave birth to a baby boy in December, and the child is reportedly in good health

(AP)

The Arizona nurse accused of raping a severely disabled woman in Arizona has pleaded not guilty. The crime was discovered after the woman gave birth unexpectedly in December at the long-term care facility where she had been resident. Other carers at the facility indicated that they had not noticed the woman was pregnant.

Nathan Sutherland appeared in court wearing an orange jumpsuit and shackles on Tuesday in Maricopa County Superior Court, where he faces charges of sexual assault and abuse of a vulnerable adult.

Mr Sutherland, who is a licensed practical nurse and has worked at the Hacienda Healthcare Skilled Nursing Facility since 2012, is being held on $500,000 bail.

The charges followed an investigation by police which allegedly linked him to the case through DNA evidence.

On Tuesday, Mr Sutherland’s lawyer, Dave Gregan, said that he will work to uphold Mr Sutherland’s “process rights”.

Police say that the baby is doing well and is in the care of the woman’s family.

The woman has been in the facility for nearly two decades. She was initially described by authorities as comatose, but her parents have since then clarified that she can respond to sounds and make facial gestures.

She can also move her limbs, head and neck to some degree, they say.