DNA
Testing Used to Arrest Nurse for Sexual Assault of Incapacitated
Woman Who Gave Birth
Compliance Perspective – Sexual Assault
Policies/Procedures: The Compliance and Ethics Officer with the Director of Nursing, Administrator, and Medical Director will review policies and procedures detailing physician services requirements for residents.
Training: The Compliance and Ethics Officer with the Director of Nursing will ensure that staff are trained to respond in a timely manner to concerns about changes in a resident’s condition and to note/report lapses in the frequency and timeliness of a physician’s care.
Audit: The Compliance and Ethics Officer with the Director of Nursing should personally conduct an audit to determine the frequency, thoroughness, and timeliness of visits to residents by their physicians.
Arizona police have arrested and charged a 36-year-old licensed practical nurse (LPN) for sexual assault and impregnation of an incapacitated woman based on DNA results. The LPN was one of the caregivers for the woman at the healthcare facility.
In December 2018, the 29-year-old woman, who had been a resident in the Arizona long-term care facility since she was three years-old as a result of a near drowning, gave birth to a baby boy. Employees indicated that they were not aware the woman was pregnant until she went into labor. According to court records, the woman’s last physical had been in April 2018.
Subsequent to the incident, the long-time CEO of the facility resigned, the physician caring for the woman resigned, and another physician has been suspended.
