Dad arrested for trying to strangle child (Casselberry, Florida)

Whoa. Wait a second. Is this "girlfriend" the child's mother? If so, why doesn't the media report that she is?

But if she is just a "girlfriend," why does this obviously abusive dad--here identified as STEVEN CHIESA--have custody/visitation? Where is this child 's mother????

INVISIBLE MOTHER ALERT

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/Deputies-Father-tried-to-strangle-child/-/1637132/9281160/-/m10abrz/-/

Deputies: Father tried to strangle child
Steven Chiesa, 23, also pushed girlfriend away, deputies say
Published On: Mar 12 2012 03:45:47 PM EDT

CASSELBERRY, Fla. - Seminole County deputies have arrested a father they say put his hands around his child's neck and squeezed.

Steven Chiesa, 23, was arrested Friday night at his Casselberry home after deputies say he strangled his child and pushed his girlfriend away when she told him not to touch the child.

Chiesa's girlfriend told deputies he put his hands around the child's neck and squeezed, causing red marks and slight bruising on the child's neck, according to the report. When Chiesa was confronted about the action, he pushed his girlfriend away and closed the bathroom door. She was not hurt, according to the report.

Chiesa is being charged with domestic violence-cruelty toward a child and domestic violence battery.

Deputies have not released the child's age.

He is being held at the John E. Polk Correctional Facility on no bond.