The suspect accused of sexually assaulting and impregnating an incapacitated woman at a Phoenix healthcare facility was a Christian rapper and has been a licensed healthcare worker in Arizona for the past 14 years.
Rap songs featuring Nathan Sutherland, 36, and his group "SLEEPLESSOULJAZ" can be found in online videos.
The videos give a glimpse into Sutherland’s background and history.
In one YouTube video, Sutherland said during an interview that he was born in Haiti and was placed in an orphanage before being adopted.
“My parents actually they split up in Haiti, and I remember my mom couldn’t take care of us so she took us to an orphanage,” Sutherland said.
Scripps station KNXV in Phoenix obtained Sutherland’s full file from the Arizona State Board of Nursing.
The records do not indicate any discipline and confirm that he was born in La Chapelle, Haiti.
According to the nursing board documents, Sutherland was first licensed in 2005 as a certified nursing assistant.
In 2011, he applied and was approved for licensure as a practical nurse.
In addition to Hacienda, the records show he did work in other healthcare facilities over the years.
Court records show that Sutherland was divorced once in 2012, and he has another divorce pending.
On Dec. 5, his current wife filed for divorce.
The filing date was nearly three weeks before the victim at Hacienda Healthcare gave birth.
Sutherland does not appear to have a previous criminal history.
Online records show he has had a few traffic citations in Arizona and California.
Contact KNXV Investigator Dave Biscobing at dave@abc15.com .
Nurse arrested in rape of woman who gave birth at facility
PHOENIX (AP) — The Latest on the arrest of a suspect charged with sexual assault in the case of an incapacitated woman who gave birth at a long-term health care facility (all times local):
10 a.m.
A licensed practical nurse charged with sexually assaulting an incapacitated woman who gave birth at an Arizona care facility has been fired from his job.
Hacienda HealthCare said in a statement Wednesday that 36-year-old Nathan Sutherland was terminated after police announced his arrest.
Hacienda says its officials are “troubled beyond words” that someone who passed an extensive background check could harm a patient and that officials will continue cooperating with police.
The 29-year-old woman has been incapacitated since the age of 3 and gave birth to the boy on Dec. 29.
The facility says they will continue cooperating with Phoenix police.
Sutherland has been arrested on one count each of sexual assault and vulnerable adult abuse.
Hacienda Healthcare: Arrest has been made amid sexual assault investigation, Phoenix police say
(ABC 15) - Police confirm a nurse has been arrested amid the widely-followed Hacienda Healthcare sexual assault investigation.
Phoenix Mayor Thelda Williams and Phoenix Police Chief Jeri Williams held a press conference with the announcement on Wednesday morning.
Since a woman in a vegetative state receiving care at the facility gave birth in late December, police say they have been working tirelessly to find the suspect.
Williams announced Wednesday that police took the suspect into custody. They identified him as 36-year-old Nathan Sutherland, a caretaker and licensed practical nurse at the facility.
Sutherland was reportedly responsible for caring for the victim at the time the sexual assault occurred. He has worked at the facility since 2011.
Police say DNA tests from employees reportedly helped police find a match between Sutherland and the baby. Officials took samples from Sutherland on Tuesday.
He was taken into custody and will be booked into jail Wednesday, police say. He is expected to be charged with one count of sexual assault and one count of vulnerable adult abuse.
Earlier this week, the facility announced that two doctors were no longer practicing and the family clarified the victim's condition , saying she's not in a coma, but suffers intellectual disabilities.
A police spokesperson said Wednesday that he wasn't sure how much help the victim was able to provide during the investigation and arrest process.
They say the baby is doing "quite well" at this time.
An internal investigation of the facility is underway. Police are asking anyone with more information to come forward.
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