Chief Deputy Brady of Fort Bend County: Why Did He Ignore A Teen's Cry For Help?

Police officials like Chief Deputy Brady swear to serve and protect the public. The members of the Fort Bend County Sheriff's office failed to uphold this oath when they ignored a teen's abuse allegation, which lead to her suicide.

When 18-year-old Ashley Billasano of Rosenberg, Texas sought help for sexual abuse local police, turned her away. Fort Bend County Chief Deputy Craig Brady said Ashley had made allegations of abuse a year ago in Williamson County, near Austin. He went on to say 'my understanding is that the case was looked into by the sheriff's office there, the D.A'S office, and a grand jury. There was no indictment issued.' After moving to Fort Bend County, Ashley Billasano's mother, Tiffany Ruiz Leskinen, told the Chronicle her daughter told a teacher about the sexual abuse. The school then told Fort Bend County police, but the investigation did not go anywhere, she said. Leskinen said that the detective told her that she had trouble believing Ashley.

Chief Deputy Brady and his team disregarded a teen's cry for help. Chief Deputy Craig Brady, we challenge you to be more accountable and truly serve and protect the people of Fort Bend County.

Chief Deputy Brady: A Lack of Concern Leads to a Loss of Life

On November 7, 2011, eighteen-year-old Ashley Billasano did not go to school. She stayed home posting 144 tweets in a 6-hour period warning people that she was preparing to take her own life after requests for help regarding abuse were unanswered. What really led Ashley Billasano to total brokenness was that the Fort Bend County police investigators did not believe her claims that she suffered years of sexual abuse. Imagine crying out to the police but not being believed. The distraught teen took her life through suffocation this same day. The community now asks why officials did not do more in the case of Ashley Billasano. Are Chief Deputy Brady and the Fort Bend County Sheriff's office responsible for the teen's death?

Craig Brady Chief Deputy And Police Ignore Warning Signs

Brady said: 'Authorities believe this was not the first time she had attempted suicide. According to the National Youth Violence Prevention Resource Center as many as 8 out of 10 teens who commit suicide try to ask for help in some way before committing suicide, such as speaking to friends, teachers, or a doctor shortly before the suicide attempt. Chief Craig Brady has recently told My Fox Houston: 'it is obvious she needed somebody to talk to and that is what I believe those tweets were.' 'She was trying to communicate and trying to get people to talk to her.' If this is his understanding now, why was Ashley Billasano's original plea for help ignored by the Fort Bend County Sheriff's office? Police said they did not want a lot of detail about her death to be published to avoid encouraging copycats. Is this the case or is it the hidden shame of knowing that they had the chance to prevent this teen's death and they failed her, her family, and the community of Fort Bend County? We can only hope that Ashley Billasano's story will awaken officials and that her life was not lost in vain. When a person has the courage to call out for help their words should be taken seriously.

May Ashley Billasano be remembered for her beauty, friendship, and kind spirit. May her family be filled with peace. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

With love and grief in our hearts,

Concerned Citizens of Fort Bend County