An Anson County correctional officer has been arrested for helping an inmate escape from a correctional institute in Polkton. The inmate is still on the loose.
Authorities said Kendra Lynette Miller, 33, is charged with sex with an inmate, providing an electronic device to an inmate, harboring a fugitive and aiding and abetting a fugitive. Miller is charged in connection with the escape of Kristopher McNeil.
>> UPDATE: Officials: Escaped inmate captured, prison worker arrested in North Carolina
McNeil escaped from the Brown Creek Correctional Institution early Saturday morning by scaling a fence. He has not been captured.
Miller’s bond is set for $500,000. She has been a food service officer at Brown Creek since December 2014.
Prisons Director George Solomon released a statement Sunday night.
"Unprofessional conduct by correctional staff will not be tolerated," Solomon said. "We will pursue criminal charges and support prosecution to the fullest extent of the law."
The Department of Public Safety, State Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement are searching for McNeil, who they believe to be in Forsyth County. He has family and friends in Winston-Salem.
Officials said a police K-9 unit briefly picked up McNeil's scent Sunday night. There have been two confirmed sightings of McNeil.
"We don't have any reason to believe that he may be armed, but again we don't know what other resources he may have been able to come in contact with since he's been out," said Pamela Walker, Department of Public Safety spokeswoman. "So we just urge everyone to be extremely careful and cautious."
Authorities believe someone gave McNeil a ride. No details were given on who officials think gave him a ride.
Anyone that has seen McNeil is asked to call 911, local law enforcement or Brown Creek Correctional Institution at 704-694-2622.
