24 Parents Arrested For Failing To Make Child-Support Payments

Twenty-four parents in Johnston County who were suspected of being behind in their child-support payments got an early morning wake-up call Sunday.

Deputies with the Johnston County Sheriff's Office arrested 18 men and six women during a countywide sweep that targeted parents who have failed to make child-support payments.

"If you're ordered to pay child support, you need to get in and get it cleared up, straighten up and get it paid -- or we are going to be knocking on your door again," Johnston County Sheriff Steve Bizzell said.

Bizzell said deputies hit the streets beginning at about 5:30 a.m. Sunday with about 185 arrest orders in hand.

He said the parents who were in custody would remain in jail until a court appearance, which could come as early as this week.