The head of a US retirement home resigns after the birth of a vegetative patient

The general manager of the company in charge of a nursing home in Arizona, where a woman in a vegetative state gave birth, resigned.

The resignation of Bill Timmons was unanimously accepted by the directors, the company said in a statement.

The woman was a patient at a clinic operated by Hacienda HealthCare near Phoenix for more than ten years and required 24-hour care.

Police opened an investigation for sexual assault.

It is believed that the woman, who was not identified, gave birth on December 29th.

"From what was said that she was moaning and that they did not know what was wrong with her," she said. an unidentified source to KPHO-TV, a subsidiary of CBS Phoenix.

"No staff member knew that she was pregnant until she had practically given birth."

Gary Orman, executive vice president of the board of directors of the company, said that she would "accept nothing less than a full account of

" And we will do everything in our power to ensure the safety of each of our patients and employees. "

The New York Times reports that new allegations of abuse have been made, including the following: 39; Insufficient privacy for patients while they were naked or in the shower.

"Enhanced Security Measures"

A spokesman for the Phoenix Police said that "the case was currently under investigation, but declined to give further details about the case.

The clinic's protocol was changed, the source said. must now be accompanied by a woman when they enter the room of a patient.

Hacienda HealthCar he said he fully cooperates with the authorities.

The Arizona Department of Health Services reported sending inspectors.

On its website, Hacienda HealthCare states that it provides care to "infants, children, adolescents and young adults with chronic diseases and chronic diseases". intellectual and developmental disability ".