The CEO of a nursing facility in Arizona resigned after reports surfaced a woman who had been in a vegetative state for 14 years gave birth.
Bill Timmons resigned as CEO of Hacienda nursing facility in Phoenix on Monday as police continue to investigate allegations of sexual assault that caused the pregnancy, according to CBS News.
Timmons’ resignation was accepted by the Hacienda Board of Directors unanimously.
{mosads}In a press release announcing the resignation, 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 organization,” said Gary Orman, executive vice president of the board.
Local news outlet KPHO broke the news last week that a 29-year old Native American woman who had been at the facility for more than a decade in a vegetative state following a near-drowning incident had given birth to a healthy baby boy.
An anonymous whistleblower at the facility tipped off the news outlet, saying none of the staff knew she was pregnant.
An internal investigation began as soon as reports surfaced, Hacienda said.
Orman said in the statement that Hacienda “will continue to cooperate with Phoenix Police and the investigating agencies at all levels in every way possible.”
KPHO reports that the woman was allegedly raped several times.
The news station also noted that more allegations of abuse have emerged since the birth.
A former manager at the facility said Timmons covered up previous patient abuse.
Hacienda HealthCare is privately owned and has more than 40 health care programs in the Phoenix area.
The Arizona Department of Health Services said it is conducting a welfare probe at Hacienda and is working with police as part of a criminal investigation into the incident.