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Son Of WFLA's Hite Faces Domestic Battery Charge

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TBO.com Staff Report

Published: November 6, 2007

Updated: 11/06/2007 10:40 am

APOLLO BEACH - The son of News Channel 8 anchor Bob Hite was arrested Thursday after choking his live-in girlfriend, officials said.

Tyler Hite

Hillsborough County deputies charged Tyler Hite, 28, of Apollo Beach, with domestic battery by strangulation – a third-degree felony, records show. He was released from Orient Road Jail on Friday on his own recognizance.

On Tuesday, his father deferred questions to law enforcement.

"I have no relationship with him anymore, and I haven't for some time," the longtime anchor said. "I don't know what to tell you."

On Thursday morning, Tyler Hite drove his girlfriend, Christy Marra, 33, and her children to drop the youths off at school, sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said.

On the way back home, Hite and Marra argued, and he stopped the truck on Big Bend Road and ordered her out, Carter said.

The couple had lived together for about a week, she said.

Marra phoned a friend to pick her up and take her home, Carter said. When they arrived, Hite confronted them in the driveway and grabbed Marra by the throat.

The fight continued as they went inside, and Hite grabbed her throat again before letting her go, Carter said.

Marra was not injured, Carter said.

Tyler Hite posted a comment on TBO.com about the news coverage of his arrest, saying he has "been living in the shadow of Bob Hite all of my life."

He expressed sadness over their estrangement, which he said began when he left home at 17 years old.

"My father and I have not had a relationship for some time now," he wrote. "The reason for that is no one's business but our own. … I don't wish I could change my past because I can't. I hope one day my father and I will be able to have some sort of relationship."

When contacted by phone, the son described his altercation with Marra as "a lover's spat that got out of hand."

"It was more of a restraining situation," he said. "Things were getting thrown around and she was restrained. If it wasn't for who my father was, this wouldn't be newsworthy."

Reporter Mike Wells can be reached at (813) 259-7839 or mwells@tampatrib.com.

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