Search underway for missing Lake County attorney

A search is underway for a Lake County attorney who last contacted family through a text message Saturday evening.

The Lake County Sheriff’s Office and members of its search and rescue teams are looking for Hidden Valley Lake resident Stephen Christopher Carter, 48, who formerly managed the county’s contract public defense office.

Sheriff’s officials did not provide a location for the search nor the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

Carter has faced challenges in his personal and work life in the last year. His contract for providing indigent legal assistance was canceled following an arrest in September for breaking into two homes, one of them the residence of his estranged wife and his daughter.

Carter reportedly told deputies responding to the calls that he believed his family was in danger. He was arrested on suspicion of felony vandalism.

Lake County Supervisor Rob Brown at the time said Carter had health issues he needed to deal with. Carter’s wife, Angela Carter, took over the indigent defense contract.

The Sheriff’s Office asks that anyone who may have seen Carter contact the office at 263-2690.

Carter is 6 feet tall, weighs 170 pounds and has brown hair and green eyes, according to a description provided by authorities.