Arizona disputes closing care unit where patient was raped

PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona is contesting a long-term care facility's decision to shut down the unit where an incapacitated woman was raped and later gave birth.

State regulators in a letter Friday say Hacienda HealthCare's contract does not allow it to close its intermediate care facility without written consent from the state.

They say Hacienda's board of directors has until 4 p.m. to answer questions about the closure decision.

The facility has been in turmoil since a 29-year-old patient gave birth on Dec. 29. A nurse who cared for the woman has been charged with raping her.

Hacienda has struggled to meet the state's request to hire a third-party management team to oversee daily operations.