Kristina L. Howarth.jpg

Kristina L. Howarth

Police say a 38-year-old Macomb County woman communicated over the Internet in an attempt to arrange sex with who she believed was a father and his underage daughter. But it was actually an undercover detective.

Kristina L. Howarth, is accused of striking up a conversation using a popular online chat program on March 21. The communication led to her directly calling undercover Macomb County sheriff's deputies.

"During the course of several days, and through the use of the messaging application as well as through direct phone calls, the woman expressed a willingness to have sex with who she thought was a father and (underage) daughter," sheriff's officials said in a statement Tuesday. "On March 28th ... Kristina Lynn Howarth showed up at a prearranged meeting where she was arrested."

Howarth is charged with two counts of child sexually abusive activity and using a computer to commit a crime. Each is punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

She's been arraigned and released on a $75,000 cash or surety bond.