Police once again confirm that missing teen was not in danger, staying with friends and family willingly.
TOMS RIVER-The Toms River Police Department has made 3 arrests in connection to the willful interference with custody case involving Ashley Combs. The department first received report of Ashley Combs missing on March 22, 2019 when she did not return home from school. The Case Detective Ryan Quinn with support from Officer Brittany Catalano, School Resource Officer Graham Borg, Officer Frank Zangara, Detective Andrew Chencharik, and Detective Steve Bucci in addition to many other officers and dispatchers within the department worked together to locate and retrieve Ashley.
It should be noted that early in the investigation officers and detectives involved with the case determined that it was highly likely that Ms. Combs was not in danger and was more than likely staying with family or friends in the area willingly. On Wednesday March 27th Detective Ryan Quinn, with assistance from Detectives Chencharik and Bucci, were able to locate Ashley in the custody of her biological father Brian Combs. It is believed, and now borne through the efforts of this investigation, that participants moved Ashley between different homes in an effort to conceal her location while law enforcement was actively trying to locate her.
Additionally, during the course of the investigation it was learned that there were concerns about Ashley’s home environment. Given the totality of the circumstances a referral was made to the New Jersey Department of Child Protection and Permanency (DCP&P). The personnel at this agency have the authority and training to investigate any the concerns raised during the course of this investigation. Any further questions about this aspect of the investigation should be directed to the DCP&P.
To date the department has charged Brian Combs with Obstruction and Interference with Custody he was subsequently lodged at the Ocean County Jail; Linda Roszel was charged with Obstruction and Interference with Custody, she was subsequently released on a summons; Mechelle Combs was charged with Obstruction and released on a summons. Additional Charges are pending further review of the information collected to date.
The media and the public are reminded that criminal charges are accusations only. Every criminal defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.