Wanted man turns himself in attack that sent pregnant girlfriend to hospital

A Leesburg man has turned himself in or allegedly battering his pregnant girlfriend earlier this month, leading to her hospitalization.

On the morning of March 3, officers with the Leesburg Police Department responded to a battery complaint at an undisclosed Lake County residence, according to an affidavit of probable cause out of Lake County. An officer reported that upon arrival, he met with the victim, a 21-year-old woman, who stated that she was involved in an altercation with her boyfriend, 41-year-old Dara Gerard Ostane.  

The couple was inside the residence when they got into a verbal dispute about the victim not allowing Ostane access to her cell phone. He became upset and rushed toward her, striking her at least five times on the back of her neck in addition to striking her head, face and stomach. He briefly left the room but returned to punch her in the ribs and head before taking her keys and leaving the residence, the affidavit said. 

The victim locked the residence once Ostane left, however he returned a short time later and got in using the aforementioned keys. After he reentered, he ransacked her son’s bedroom and punched a hole in the wall. The estimated amount of damage was about $100, the affidavit said. 

Additionally, the victim stated she was about nine months pregnant, and Ostane was the father of her unborn child. The officer noted that, based on her physical appearance, it was clear she was pregnant, the affidavit said. 

The officer also reported that the victim appeared upset and afraid. She advised that she felt dizzy after being struck in the face by Ostane, sustaining slightly swollen eyes. Leesburg Fire Department and Lake EMS personnel responded to the scene to provide medical treatment for her, the affidavit said. 

As a result, the victim was transported to UF Health Leesburg Hospital, located at 600 E. Dixie Avenue, for further medical treatment. The Emergency Room doctor told the officer that due to the stress of the incident, the victim was having contractions. Should they continue for more than six hours, the victim would have to be admitted, and if they continued for more than 24 hours, they would need to deliver the baby, the affidavit said. 

Officers tried to contact Ostane by telephone and at his residence but were unable to find him. Still, a probable cause affidavit was completed for his arrest, the affidavit said. 

On March 4, a detective with LPD assumed responsibility for the case. He reviewed the incident report, the probable cause affidavit, a supplemental report from a K9 unit officer and the victim’s statement. All information was found to be consistent, the affidavit said. 

The supplemental report documented an attempt to contact and apprehend Ostane at his residence, also located within LPD jurisdiction. The K9 officer reported that he was informed there was probable cause to arrest Ostane for a felony-level battery, and officers found his vehicle parked in his driveway, the affidavit said. 

As officers approached the residence, they saw a male meeting Ostane’s description in the yard but no longer saw him once they reached the residence. They set a perimeter around the residence, believing he may be inside, and spent several minutes trying to make contact. Once it appeared they were not getting any compliance, the perimeter was broken down, and the K9 officer and his partner resumed his normal duties, the affidavit said. 

The detective next looked at photos taken by one of the officers. The photo of the damage to the wall depicted a narrow opening in the wall about five inches long and one inch wide, indicating that Ostane did not punch the wall but rather struck it with some sort of object. The photos of the victim showed that she was obviously pregnant, but no visible injuries were readily apparent, the affidavit said. 

A review of Ostane’s criminal history revealed he had a lengthy arrest record that included four felony convictions and one misdemeanor conviction. His record started in 1994 with arrests for battery on detection facility staff, aggravated battery, disorderly conduct, retail theft, homicide, cocaine possession, violation of probation, possession of marijuana with intent to sell, strong arm robbery, battery (second or subsequent offense), criminal mischief and battery on a pregnant victim, the affidavit said. 

Furthermore, the detective noted that Ostane was convicted of battery (second or subsequent offense) on March 21, resulting from an arrest by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. He discovered at least three other battery arrests with unknown dispositions. A check of LPD records showed three additional incidents between the victim and Ostane that happened within the past year, the affidavit said. 

In July 2023, a warrant was issued for Ostane for battery on a pregnant victim, however the charges were dropped. In Oct. 2023, an aggravated assault and violation of pre-trial release report was filed in an LPD case, however the arrest warrant was not approved by the State Attorney’s Office due to lack of evidence. In Feb. 2024, the victim filed a misdemeanor criminal mischief report regarding Ostane entering her apartment and damaging property within the residence, the affidavit said. 

Ostane ultimately turned himself in this past week to face charges of domestic battery (pregnant victim) and criminal mischief ($200 or less). He was taken to Lake County Jail but released after posting $15,500 bond.