IOWA police were called to the Praire View Management Facility in the town of Fayette after two patients mysteriously absconded late last months.

They were there under close care.

In fact, they were there under court order for the treatment and medication of chronic psychological conditions.

Then they vanished.

The Des Moines Register reports two nursing assistants — Megan Marie Penney, 26, of Clermont and Paige Lynn Johanningmeier, 23, of Elgin — were spotted four days later by another staffer with the missing patients.

A police investigation has concluded the two nurses had breached protocol by developing relationships with those under their care.

Together, they helped the patients leave the facility and took them home.

Police say that, while outside of the mental care facility, they engaged in sexual relations with their patients.

Both nurses have been arrested and charged with sexual exploitation by a counsellor, therapist or school employee. Both posted bond and have been released.

One patient has been returned to the facility, while the other has been taken to hospital.