Police served a search warrant Tuesday to get DNA from all male employees at a long-term care facility in Phoenix where a patient who had been in a vegetative state for years gave birth, triggering reviews by state agencies and putting a spotlight on safety concerns for patients who are severely disabled or incapacitated.
Hacienda HealthCare said it welcomed the DNA testing of employees.
"We will continue to cooperate with Phoenix Police and all other investigative agencies to uncover the facts in this deeply disturbing, but unprecedented situation," the company said in a statement.
Local news website Azfamily.com first reported the woman, who had been in a vegetative state for more than 10 years after a near-drowning, delivered a baby on December 29.
Her identity has not been reported, and it's not known if she has a family or a guardian. It's also unclear if staff members at the Hacienda de Los Angeles facility were aware of the pregnancy until the birth.
In a statement, board member Gary Orman said the facility "will accept nothing less than a full accounting of this absolutely horrifying situation."
Gov. Doug Ducey's office has called the situation "deeply troubling."
"Whether it's an employee or someone from the outside, the facility has an obligation to protect residents."
"If it's the same story from different people, then there's something wrong."