Inmate's tattoo leads to self-mutilation charge

HOUMA — A do-it-yourself tattoo resulted in new charges Tuesday for a Lafourche Parish jail inmate, authorities said.

Raquel Dantin, 27, of Golden Meadow, is charged with self-mutilation and introducing contraband to a correctional facility. Officers discovered her tattoo after she discussed it in a letter sent from jail, said Maj. Marty Dufrene of the Lafourche Parish Sheriff's Office.

Dantin had the name "Jess" on her right wrist, a tattoo they believe she gave herself, he said. It appeared to be newly red and swollen.

Tattooing is banned because it can lead to infection, Dufrene said, adding it can be done with items as common as a staple and pen ink. A search of Dantin's cell and other areas she had access to failed to turn up the tools used.

Dufrene said self-tattooing is not common.

Dantin was jailed in September on charges of unauthorized use of a vehicle, failing to appear for an arraignment and two counts of probation violation.