Former Hacienda Healthcare nurse charged with raping a patient appears in court

PHOENIX (FOX 10/AP) -- A former nurse charged with raping and impregnating an incapacitated patient at a long-term care center in Phoenix appeared in court Tuesday

The pretrial conference for Nathan Sutherland comes more than a month after he lost an appeal of a court order requiring a test to determine if he has HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases. It's unclear whether Sutherland has since taken the test.

During the hearing, a judge asked to meet again in 45 days to set a trial date.

The 30-year-old patient, who had been living at Hacienda Healthcare since 1992, gave birth to a boy at the facility on Dec. 29.

Employees said they had no idea she was pregnant.

Sutherland has pleaded not guilty to charges of sexual abuse and abuse of a vulnerable adult.

Hacienda fired Sutherland after his arrest.

He has since given up his nursing license.