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Dozens arrested on domestic violence charges in Lake County sting

LAKE COUNTY, Fla. — Law enforcement in Lake County spent the last four weeks arresting dozens of domestic violence suspects, Channel 9's Roy Ramos learned.

The arrests were part of a statewide effort to stop domestic violence.

The sting comes about a month after Kristi Delaney was allegedly killed by her ex-boyfriend in front of her 3-year-old daughter in Mascotte.

"Not only did you have a victim who was fatally wounded, but you had a child that witnessed it," said Lt. John Herrell of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.

The Florida Sheriff's Task Force Operation Safe Families ran for four weeks, concluding with well over 5,000 arrests.

"Today, too many families in Florida are affected daily by domestic violence and related crimes. In way too many situations, a home is no longer a safe place, it's an environment of abuse and fear," said Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri.

Lake County deputies made 24 arrests on warrants. Another 27 arrests were made on probable cause, all related to domestic violence and failure to pay child support.

"What we hope is that our arrest will actually prevent further domestic violence from occurring," said Herrell.

The Lake County Sheriff's Office said the Florida Sheriff's Association is always putting together task forces to fight crime, but they said Operation Safe Families is one they'd like to see again in the near future.