Teen Forced to Choose Prostitution or Torture

HOUSTON - The Gulf Coast Violent Offenders Task Force is looking for a dangerous fugitive accused of forcing a local teenager to choose between prostitution or torture.

Christopher Deonn Crawford, 24, is accused of beating the teen on and off for the past three years if she didn't do exactly as she was told.

Crawford is charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury. Other charges could follow.

Crawford goes by the nickname "Crazy" and has no permanent address.

The now 18-year-old woman, Shellysia Milton, left Crawford after a third hospitalization earlier this year.

Cops believe she is hiding in a safe place but add she lives in fear because Crawford hasn't been arrested.

Senior Officer Kerry Bray says Milton met Crawford in 2007 when she was 15-years-old. Milton dropped out of school and began living with Crawford.

"It wasn't until he got her alone that everything started changing," said Ofc. Bray.

Ofc. Bray says Crawford forced Milton into prostitution almost every night of the week.

Police say he would drop her off in front of a motel and come back later to pick her up with strict instructions to not have sex with Black tricks.

"She was to make at least $100. If she didn't make $100 the consequences were severe," he said.

Ofc. Bray has a folder full of pictures detailing the torture that lasted from 2007 until the beginning of this year.

Police say Crawford would beat Milton until she passed out or until he got tired.

"He was unmerciful on her. He used belts on her. He kicked her, mostly used his fist."

The pictures show injuries to Milton's face caused by a table leg and fire extinguisher. Pictures of her back show bite marks and welts caused by hangers and belts.

Police say Milton's family gave him permission to share the pictures with FOX 26 because Milton's story might help other women or catch the man cops say is responsible.

"This man is very dangerous. I personally believe somebody is going to die at this man's hands," said Ofc. Bray.

Police say fear kept Milton from coming forward.

Ofc. Bray says her family tried to help but that Milton often lied about her injuries.

"She felt trapped. She felt the alternative of running was worse than staying and trying to make him happy," he said.

Police reports were filed in 2007 and 2008 while Milton was in the hospital, but Milton never gave officers Crawford's real name and declined to press charges.

Earlier this year, police say a family member finally convinced Milton to go to police.

She showed up to speak with Ofc. Bray thinking Crawford was behind bars on a parole violation.

Police say she became frightened when they told her he wasn't in jail.

"Until we get him and put him away she's always going to be scared," said Ofc. Bray.

Today Milton is permanently scarred. Her eye droops, and she still has swelling.

Crawford is suspected in at least one other violent assault on another woman.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. Call 713-222-TIPS.

Right now the Houston area doesn't have a safe house for girls like Milton. Children At Risk is working on the funding for one.