Teen found at NW Harris Co. massage parlor shut down for prostitution didn't work there: attorney

HARRIS COUNTY, Texas (KTRK) -- The 13-year-old girl found at a northwest Harris County massage business that was being investigated for prostitution didn't work there, an attorney representing one of the girl's relatives says.

Rainbow Foot Relax, on Jones Road near Fallbrook, was searched Aug. 7 and subsequently ordered shut down by the state of Texas for the next year.

Court records show the teen's relative, Chenxi Zou, was charged with promotion of prostitution alongside her common-law husband, Shi-Shin Chow. Both are listed as owners of the business.

In a social media post last week, Sheriff Ed Gonzalez said, "a 13-year-old teen was being forced to work at the Rainbow Foot Relax Massage Parlor."

But attorney Joe Wells, who represents Zou and Chow, said that's not true.

"Shame on Sheriff Gonazlez for not taking steps to protect this young girl," Wells said.

Wells said Zou had left the girl in the care of an employee while she was out of town and that the teen never engaged in any of the conduct alleged in court documents.

"They went to a business and they found a 13-year-old girl playing on an iPhone," Wells said. "That is not out of the ordinary."

But in a criminal complaint, deputies say the girl, who's identified by her initials, was using a business cell phone to schedule appointments for the massage business.

"It's not hard for people to figure out who this girl is, and it has to be devastating on her. (She's) going to middle school now knowing that people are wondering, 'Is she involved in this kind of work?'" Wells said.

HCSO declined to respond to Wells' assertions on Friday.

Deputies say they began investigating the business on Aug. 6 after getting a tip.

When they searched the place the next day, they said they found $2,200 in cash, condoms, and a DVR camera.

According to a search warrant, a 57-year-old employee told investigators she was hired five years ago to perform massages, only to learn later she would also have to engage in sex acts.

"If there was any sex work taking place at that business, my clients did not know anything about it, as the owners," Wells said.

In the complaint, deputies say Zou had eight to ten women working for her and that they all performed sex work.

When one complained about rough treatment from customers, Zou reportedly told her, "She needs to obey her and do a good job with the clients."

"If they were actually being forced to do some kind of sex work and they didn't want to do it, then they could have just left. Why didn't they leave?" Wells said.

Zou and Chow are currently out of jail on bond. Wells said the girl is back in Zou's custody.

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