$45 million claim filed by lawyers of woman impregnated while incapacitated at Phoenix clinic

A 37-year-old employee has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

May 23, 2019, 3:34 AM

Attorneys representing a woman who was raped while incapacitated and later gave birth at a Phoenix clinic have filed a $45 million claim against the state.

The victim, 29, become pregnant under mysterious circumstances before giving birth in December, according to The Associated Press.

Nathan Sutherland, 37, a former employee at Hacienda Healthcare, a long-term care facility, pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual abuse and abusing a vulnerable adult. His DNA matched that of the newborn baby, investigators said.

PHOTO: This undated photo provided by Maricopa County Sheriff's Office shows Nathan Sutherland, who is charged with sexually assaulting an incapacitated woman who later gave birth at a long-term care facility in Phoenix.
This undated photo provided by Maricopa County Sheriff's Office shows Nathan Sutherland, who is charged with sexually assaulting an incapacitated woman who later gave birth at a long-term care facility in Phoenix.
Maricopa County Sheriff's Office via AP, File

That baby is being cared for by the family of the woman, who's been in long-term care since she nearly drowned at age 3.

The claim is seeking a $25 million settlement for the victim and $10 million for each of the woman's parents within 60 days, or the matter will be taken to court, the AP reported.

Medical records cited in the claim allege the woman was "violently and repeatedly raped" while living at Hacienda. A doctor present the day she gave birth said she could've been pregnant previously.