Signs of possible sexual assault in children
Behavioral changes that can signal that a child has been sexually abused or assaulted.
Austin police and public health officials are urging victims who had online or physical contact with a man who allegedly preyed on underaged girls on social media to report any abuse to authorities — and to seek out testing for sexually transmitted infections.
Keshawn French-Burton, 20, was arrested in December after he allegedly used various social media accounts and aliases to contact underaged girls in Travis and Hays counties, misleading them about his real age, Austin Police Department Detective Chad Honacker said Tuesday at a news conference.
French-Burton faces three felony charges of sexual assault of a child and one charge of continuous sexual assault of a child less than 14 years old, Honacker said. He also was charged in Hays County for one charge of sexual assault of a child.
Honacker said the Police Department had identified three victims ranging in age from 12 to 17, but that it believes there are “several others.”
Honacker said the Police Department and Austin Public Health are working together to trace sexually transmitted infections that victims might have caught from French-Burton.
“We understand that survivors of sexual abuse may not wish to report to law enforcement,” Honacker said. “However, if you have been assaulted by Keshawn French-Burton and you do wish to report, please know the Austin Police Department child abuse unit is here to assist you to report your sexual abuse.”
Austin-Travis County Health Authority Dr. Desmar Walkes asked survivors to come forward so the city agency could help prevent the further spread of any infections contracted from French-Burton, and so people can receive appropriate treatment. She said the health authority offers low-cost to no-cost services.
“STIs are a serious public health concern, and early detection is critical. If you believe that you’ve been exposed to an STI, I strongly encourage you to seek testing as soon as possible,” Walkes said.
Neither Walkes or Honacker said what diseases French-Burton or his victims had tested positive for, citing health care privacy laws.
French-Burton’s probable cause affidavit says he used the aliases “Leander” and “Leon” when speaking to victims, and he had accounts on the social media networks Snapchat and Instagram. One victim, who claims French-Bowman sexually assaulted her inside his vehicle and at his home, was linked to the alleged perpetrator after she sought out treatment at Dell Children’s Medical Center.
French-Burton is being held at the Travis County Jail on a combined $375,000 bail. His next court hearing is scheduled for Feb. 19.
Anyone with information can contact the Austin Police Department’s child abuse tip line at 512-974-6880. Victim services counselors can be reached at 512-974-5037. Victims concerned about their sexual health status can contact Austin Public Health at 512-972-5430.
This story has been updated to add video.