Carolina Mental Health Officer Accused

(Richland County, South Carolina) A 36-year-old Public Safety Officer with the Department of Mental Health, Tina Lynette Howell, has been accused of engaging in an inappropriate relationship with a sexually violent predator in a state treatment program.

Howell faces a charge of misconduct in office.

Tina Lynette Howell was arrested Tuesday and charged with misconduct in office.

Investigators say the 36-year-old had sexually explicit phone calls with a patient in the sexually violent predator treatment program at the Broad River Correctional Institute in Columbia.

According to warrants, the calls took place late last month.

It's unknown what allure a sexually violent predator could possibly possess.

Tip: SuidaeEmpathy