FOX 26 Viewers Help Victim of Torture

HOUSTON - Only on FOX, a follow up to a story we first brought you last week. Shellysia Milton, 19, is the Houston teenager forced into prostitution as a child and tortured.

Now, thanks to FOX 26 viewers, Milton is taking the first steps toward a more stable life.

Dr. Canaan Harris of St. Joseph Medical Center plans to donate reconstructive facial surgery to Milton.

FOX 26 viewer, Kathryn Griffin, saw our previous reports and contacted Dr. Harris for help. Milton figured her face would always be scarred with painful reminders.

There's a story for every bruise and cut that never healed. Each one, cops say, was inflicted by the hands of Christopher Crawford, 24.

"It's bad enough I have the memories. I don't think I should have to relive it everyday," said Milton.

Dr. Harris says most of Milton's injuries are soft tissue trauma. His biggest concern is the tearing in the corner of her eye.

Milton says she feels different than other young women and is intimidated by job interviews. Dr. Harris plans to operate on Milton three different times.

"I won't stick out like a sore thumb anymore. I won't have to look in the mirror and be like, 'ugh this is the decision I made and these are the consequences,'" she said.

Milton's life has never been easy. Growing up her father wasn't in the picture and her mom was a drug addict. Grandparents did the best they could, but at 15, Milton dropped out of school and met Crawford.

For two years, cops say, he forced her into prostitution almost every night of the week. If she didn't do exactly as she was told, police say Crawford was unmerciful on her.

"Her story will be able to help so many others, and we want people to come forward and get the help they need," said Griffin.

Griffin, a reformed prostitute and drug addict, founded "We've Been There Done That." She rehabilitates women who've been on the streets by introducing them to doctors and non profit organizations.

"We're going to work with her on her high school diploma. I asked if she had one. She said, 'no,' and really wanted one," said Marilyn Gambrell, founder of No More Victims, an advocacy group for newborns and children of incarcerated parents.

Milton believes time will heal her emotional scars. Getting rid of the physical daily reminders is a good start.

"I'm looking forward to a new tomorrow," said Milton.

Milton reported Crawford to police this year. A Fox 26 story led to his arrest on Monday. He's charged with aggravated assault causing serious bodily injury.

Houston Police and the FBI are both pursuing additional charges relating to the alleged sex assault and child prostitution.