ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — The Ross County Sheriff’s Office has released its report in the sexual assault investigation involving Brian Felts, the 53-year-old Huntington Huntsmen girls’ softball coach who died by suicide last month. The report provides new details about how the case came to light and what investigators found on the night the report was filed.
According to the report, deputies were dispatched to State Route 772 for a juvenile sexual assault. Upon arrival, investigators spoke with the victim’s mother, who told them she had suspected an inappropriate relationship between her daughter and Felts. The mother told investigators she had found suspicious messages on her daughter’s phone between the two and had confronted her daughter about the matter.
The report states the victim was fearful and begged her mother not to leave her alone. The victim had also reportedly told her mother the previous night that she had been sexually assaulted. Investigators noted the victim was extremely emotional throughout the encounter, crying and being consoled by siblings and other family members.
The responding deputy collected both the victim’s phone and the clothing worn the night of the alleged incident as evidence. A forensic interview was scheduled for a later date.
The case was referred to the RCSO Detective Bureau for further investigation. It was formally closed following Felts’ death on April 23.
If you or a loved one is a victim of sexual assault, anonymous support is available by calling the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, help is available by calling or texting 988.