Dad of alleged Peterson fiancee up in arms

CHICAGO, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- A man who suspects his 24-year-old daughter is engaged to former suburban Chicago police officer Drew Peterson says he strongly opposes the engagement.

While the identity of the woman who may become Peterson's fifth wife has not been released, Ernie Raines said he is convinced it is his daughter and he is prepared to take action to prevent any wedding from taking place, the Joliet (Ill.) Herald-News reported Thursday.

"That ain't going to happen," the Chicago resident said. "I'm doing everything I can to try to get her away from him. ... I'd like to say to him: Stay away from my daughter, take his ring back and look for his wife before he's out trying to get another young girl."

In an interview with the CBS show "Inside Edition," Tony Yauk, the father of Christina Raines' two children, said that he does not understand what she sees in Peterson.

"I don't understand why she really would want to be with this person," he said. "I don't want my kids around this guy. I mean, he's crazy."

Peterson is a suspect in the 2004 death of his third wife, Kathleen Savio, and is a person of interest in the disappearance of his fourth wife, Stacy.

A lawyer for the former Bolingbrook police sergeant confirmed this week the 54-year-old is engaged to a 23-year-old woman.

Peterson denies he is engaged to Raines' daughter, Christina, and she also denies any romantic ties to Peterson, the Herald-News said.