Child Sex Assault Suspect Kills Self

GALVESTON, Texas - A man suspected in the disappearance and sexual assault two San Leon girls has apparently committed suicide in jail, the Galveston County Sheriff's Office said Friday.

Robert Bryan Dooley, 46, was found unconscious in his single-man cell at about 1:28 a.m. Deputies and jail medical staff immediately responded to assist, but Dooley was pronounced dead a short time later.

The man was arrested early Tuesday morning in connection with the alleged aggravated sexually assault of two young girls, who went missing from their home the night before.

Witnesses say a van matching that of Dooley's was seen dropping the 8 and 12-year-old girls off near their house after their disappearance. Dooley was later spotted nearby and arrested.

Galveston County officials say the man was a registered sex offender who moved to the area not long ago, but his sex offender registration was current.

Investigators have not said how Dooley committed suicide, but they indicated a detailed note was found in the cell, apparently written by the suspect.

His body was taken to the Galveston County Medical Examiner's Office where an autopsy will be performed. The office has not made known the cause of death.

As per protocol, criminal investigators and the professional standards office are concurrently conducting probes into events surrounding Dooley's death. The Galveston County District Attorney's Office and Texas Office of the Attorney General will also be involved as the investigation continues.