It will be a memorable father's day for 26 deadbeat dads in CumberlandCounty. Over two days, deputies rounded them up and hauled them intocourt. Combined, they owe nearly $300,000.
While the long arm of the law puts the squeeze on them, many others remainon the run. Jennifer Bell is a child support supervisor. She says themost frustrating part for a client is nearly getting a father in reach,then he suddenly disappears.
Aldia Freeman knows what it's like to deal with a deadbeat dad. Yearafter year, the father of her 13-year-old son, Chris, failed to paythe child support he owed. Freeman wishes she could have done better inproviding a better place for Chris, but she didn't have the extra money.She would have given Chris the things he wanted and needed.
Last year, support for Chris began arriving on a regular basis-- $106 amonth, as ordered by the courts back when Chris was born. His motherwants an increase, but the father lives in Nevada, so there's plenty ofred tape in the way.
Chris thinks his dad should send a little bit more to help his mom withexpenses like shoes. Right now, Chris is forced to wear cheaper shoes or"bo-bo's" which could cause him to be made fun of at school. Chris knowshis mom can't do it all herself.
More and more deadbeat parents are paying up, thanks to "Most Wanted"posters and new laws taking privileges away from those who don't pay.In one month this spring, the child support office in Cumberland Countycollected 1.7 million dollars-- a local record.
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