Former nurse allegedly gave nude photos to inmate

PHOENIX (KSAZ) - A former nurse who worked at the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office 4th Avenue Jail has been arrested. Latonya Hickbottom had been the subject of an investigation by the agency after allegations surfaced that she had a relationship with a maximum security inmate, Ramon Cummings.

Calls between the inmate and Hickbottom were monitored by detectives. During a search of the inmates cell, they found naked photos, including one of Hickbottom.

After investigators had questioned Hickbottom, she confirmed she gave photos of herself to another inmate to pass along to the inmate she had a relationship with. They also found she had placed $100 in the inmates jail account.

"She had been put on a second probationary period because she had not been able to achieve some of her job standards. So there was a very good chance that she was going to be released from her job anyway. Then all of a sudden these accusations came forth, and it just happened all at the same time," said Maricopa County spokesperson Fields Mosely.

Hickbottom was terminated from her job after the investigation.

"We cannot recollect anything like this happening with a correctional health employee in recent memory, so this is not a common thing," said Mosely.

She has been charged with a felony, promoting prison contraband.