A WOMAN in a coma for over 10 years has just given birth - sparking a police probe into a possible sexual assault.

Authorities in Arizona have launched a sexual abuse investigation as they try to establish who fathered the child.

The woman is not being identified because of the possibility she may have been sexually assaulted.

AZ Family reports she has been in a vegetative state since nearly drowning 14 years ago.

The news channel said she has just last month given birth to a baby.

That has prompted a sex abuse investigation at the Phoenix-area nursing facility.

They said the baby was born on December 29 and is doing well.

It is claimed the mother is a patient at Hacienda HealthCare in Phoenix.

A source familiar with the situation told the website that "none of the staff were aware that she was pregnant until she was pretty much giving birth."

And the source went on: “From what I’ve been told she was moaning. And they didn’t know what was wrong with her."

As the new mother needed constant round the clock care, many people have regular access to her room but it is alleged protocols have been changed since the birth.

Now male staff needing to enter female rooms must be accompanied by a female employee, the source said.

Hacienda HealthCare is not commenting beyond a routine statement.

They told Fox News it would be a HIPPA violation and referred questions to the CEO of the nursing facility.

Phoenix Police Department did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for comment, either.

Hacienda has 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 specialised 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."