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Deputies: Ohio Dad Forces Daughter From Mom's Tampa Home

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TBO.com

Published: February 16, 2009

TAMPA - A 46-year-old Ohio man tried taking his daughter from her biological mother's custody by flying to the girl's Florida home, grabbing her and forcing her into his vehicle, Hillsborough County deputies say.

The man, Steven Ostromek, then changed vehicles and drove his 11-year-old daughter to Tampa International Airport, where he tried flying the girl to Ohio, according to deputies.

Deputies arrested him Sunday evening at the airport. He was charged with interference with child custody.

The incident began about 3 p.m. Sunday at the girl's Lithia home, when Ostromek hid behind an above-ground swimming pool in the backyard and waited for her to come within his reach, an arrest report states. He grabbed her and headed to the airport, deputies say.

Sheriff's spokeswoman Debbie Carter said Ostromek was charged only with interference with child custody because the man claimed he has legal custody of the child in Ohio. The girl's mother showed deputies documentation stating she has a stay from a judge in Tampa giving her custody of the child, Carter said.

Ostromek, who works for the U.S. Postal Service, is being held without bail at Orient Road Jail.

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