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Man Lured 13-Year-Old Girl Away From Home For Sex, Deputies Say

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By RAY REYES | The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 11, 2008

TAMPA - A Lakeland man accused of luring a 13-year-old girl away from her home was arrested Friday and charged with three counts of lewd battery, according to the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

Shaun Duane Osteen, 36, of 132 E. Daughtery Road, Lakeland, was also charged with interference with child custody and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, said Polk sheriff's spokeswoman Carrie Rodgers.

According to an arrest report, the 13-year-old girl, whose name was withheld by authorities because she is the victim of a sex crime, was reported missing from her home about 6 a.m. Friday.

While interviewing family members, detectives learned that Osteen became acquainted with the girl's family after he performed repairs on their house during the summer of 2007, Rodgers said.

Family members told detectives that Osteen would take all the children out for ice cream and give them gifts, the sheriff's office said. Osteen is also accused of having sleepovers with the children at his home, authorities said.

This "grooming" eventually led to a "romantic" relationship with the 13-year-old girl, Rodgers said.

Osteen told detectives on Friday that he and the girl planned in advance for her to leave home in the middle of the night, where he then performed a sexual act on her, the sheriff's office said.

The girl then stayed at a friend's house overnight, where she was found by detectives and questioned, the arrest report said. Osteen and the girl's statements were consistent, Rodgers said.

"This is another classic example of how a predator has groomed a child and the child's family and then lured the child away from her family in order to have illicit sexual relations with her," Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said. "Parents must be aware that there are child predators trying to not only befriend your children, but also many times to gain your trust."

Osteen is being held without bail in the Polk County Jail. His first appearance hearing is scheduled for Saturday.

Reporter Ray Reyes can be reached at (813) 865-4433 or rreyes@tampatrib.com.

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