Deputies Save Teen from Jumping off Parking Garage, Katy Shopping Center Working on Solutions

KATY MAGAZINE NEWS

July 28, 2021

By Natalie Cook Clark

Deputies with Fort Bend County Constables Office were honored today for saving a teenage girl from a suicide jump attempt from a local Katy parking garage. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time this has happened and the shopping center is working with Constable Chad Norvell for solutions.

Fort Bend County Constable Chad Norvell with Fort Bend County Constable Deputies; Bryan Steffen, Gregory Markovsky, and Roger Castillo.. Photo credit: Constable Norvell

Deputies Recognized for Saving Teen's Life

Three Fort Bend County Constable’s Office Deputies were recognized today for saving a teen girl’s life. Their lifesaving tactics saved the girl from jumping off the parking garage at Katy’s LaCenterra.

Deputies were dispatched to LaCenterra off of Cinco Ranch Blvd. on July 7, 2021 due to reports of a female sitting on top of the ledge. Where she was sitting was described as being 5 and a half to 6 stories high.

Deputy Castillo was the first on the scene and found the teen girl sitting up top with her legs over the edge. He attempted to engage her in conversation.

"I just tried to keep her distracted and to give her doubt as to what she was doing," says Deputy Roger Castillo, who describes the incident as being a minute or two of acceleration that felt like 30 minutes.

Meanwhile, Deputies Steffen and Markovsky arrived and made their way to the top of the garage.

While Castillo spoke to her and kept her distracted, Deputies Steffen and Markovsky were able to pull her from the edge to safety.

“These Deputies actions were nothing less than heroic,” says Fort Bend County Constable Chad Norvell.

A Repeat Occurance

Over the last three years, three other individuals have attempted suicide from this location according to Fort Bend County officials. Two were successful.

A Fort Bend County Sheriff's Office Deputy received "Officer of the Year" in 2020 because of a similar case. Read that story here.

Constable Norvell has met with the management at LaCenterra and says they are actively exploring options to prevent future attempts to include installing restrictive barriers.

“We have an excellent Crisis Intervention Team here in Fort Bend County,” says Constable Norvell. “If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out and let us help you.”

Community Resources

The Katy and local communities offer many mental health programs for residents of all ages:

Fort Bend County Crisis Intervention Team- 281-342-3411

Suicide Prevention Hotline (24 hours a day)- 1-800-273-8255

Mental Health America of Greater Houston

Society for the Prevention of Teen Suicide

Jason Foundation

Self-harm and suicide threats are also a category that students, parents, and community members can report on anonymously through Katy ISD’s free SpeakUp app.

Often times, parents and friends can see signs to suggestion an individual needs help.

Suicidal Warning Signs:

· Unusual neglect of personal appearance

· Mood Change - example: Extreme happiness after a long period of withdrawal

· Persistent boredom, difficulty concentrating, decline in quality of work

· Withdrawal from friends

· Giving things away as in “tying up loose ends”

· Commenting on the desire to die

· Commenting on not being around

· Change in attendance

· Loss of interest in things they previously showed interest

· Frequent complaints about physical symptoms

· Drug or alcohol use

"At the end of the day, I'm glad it all worked out," says Deputy Castillo. "We had a 50/50 shot and it was a team effort. We prevented her from taking her life that day."