ST. GABRIEL — A since-fired Elayn Hunt Correctional Center employee was arrested after it was uncovered that she was illegally communicating with an inmate via a cell phone, arrest documents show.

According to Iberville Parish deputies, a cell phone was seized from an inmate at Elayn Hunt on March 24. After it was seized, a phone number belonging to a correctional officer, 46-year-old Trenda Parker, called the phone. 

Parker later admitted to talking and texting with the inmate for two to three weeks. Parker added that she knew she should have reported the contact, but did not report the incident. 

"Parker failed to perform her duty lawfully required of her to report and seize the cell phone as contraband," IPSO deputies wrote. 

She was then arrested and charged with malfeasance in office. 

Parker was hired at the correctional facility in November 2025, the Department of Corrections said. She was fired on March 25.