Detectives are investigating after a woman at a nursing home, who had been in a persistent vegetative state for over a decade, gave birth.

The woman was believed to have been a victim of sexual abuse while receiving 24-hour care.

She had been treated at nursing home facility in Phoenix, Arizona after almost drowning more than 10 years ago, an incident that left her in a vegetative state.

A nursing home source told local television station KPHO: "None of the staff were aware that she was pregnant until she was pretty much giving birth. From what I know the baby is alive, and the baby is healthy."

The woman reportedly would not have been able to communicate to carers that she was pregnant, or that she had been a victim of abuse.

A spokesman for Arizona governor Doug Ducey said: "We have been informed of the situation that occurred at this healthcare facility and find the reports deeply troubling.

"The governor was briefed on these reports as soon as our office learned of them, and our state agencies immediately began taking every measure to protect patient safety."

A spokeswoman for the nursing home said it had "been in business for over 50 years and has an outstanding reputation providing high quality specialised care for our patients".