Sex abuse investigation is launched after a woman who has been in a permanent vegetative state since nearly drowning 10 years ago GIVES BIRTH in a Phoenix health care facility

A sex abuse investigation is underway in Phoenix after a woman in a vegetative state in a healthcare facility for 10 years gave birth. 

Staff at Hacienda HealthCare in Phoenix, AZ had been giving round the clock care to the female patient, according to AZ Family.

She gave birth on December 29 after apparently being raped at the facility some months earlier.  

Staff at Hacienda HealthCare in Phoenix (pictured), AZ had been giving round the clock care to the female patient

A source added that: 'None of the staff were aware that she was pregnant until she was pretty much giving birth.'

Reports from the area indicated that confused staff heard the woman moaning before she gave birth to the child. 

Her vegetative state is a result of an incident in which she nearly drowned ten years ago. 

Now male staff members wanting to enter the room of a female patient must be accompanied by a female staff member as a result of the incident. 

Hacienda issued a statement to AZ Family and said it has been in business in the valley for over 50 years and 'has an outstanding reputation providing high quality specialized care for our patients'. 

'As a Healthcare provider, we cannot comment on any patient due to Federal and State privacy laws. Additionally, we cannot comment on any ongoing investigations. 

'We can say that our patients and clients health and safety is our #1 priority and that we always cooperate, when asked by any agency, in an open and transparent way.'