ALABAMA, United States – An Alabama sheriff’s deputy is now missing after leaving to transport an inmate charged with capital murder to a courthouse on Friday morning.

According to the Miami Herald, Assistant Director of Corrections for the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, Vicki White and the inmate, Casey Cole White vanished and the vehicle they left in was found inside the parking lot of a local shopping centre. According to the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Office, no further information about the vehicle they were travelling in were provided.

The news report said hours passed before authorities realised that the assistant director of corrections and the inmate did not arrive at their intended destination. The Lauderdale County Detention Center and Lauderdale County Courthouse are located less than a mile apart in Florence, Alabama.

Authorities are now searching for both individuals. They have indicated that the deputy and the inmate are not related.