(Lexington County) - $42,046.35: that's how much just one deadbeat parent owes in back child support in Lexington County. But that number is just a small part of the $6.1 million dollar total of unpaid child support in the county.
But after Wednesday, the county is going to stop asking deadbeat parents why they didn?t pay, and start threatening them.
?So we stemmed it Operation Last Chance, to give them an opportunity to come in without any penalty if they do so, then we take care of the matter. If they don't, then we've lost nothing and we're still looking for them and we'll put them in jail when we find them,? said Lexington County Sheriff James Metts.
The sheriff and Clerk of Court Beth Carrigg sent 413 deadbeat parents letters, giving them one more shot at paying before criminal arrest warrants are issued.
?It's a big problem in Lexington County with both males and females; however, over the last twelve months it has gotten much better,? said Carrigg.
Last year, the clerk of court's office collected more than $16 million dollars in child support payments, but it's the kids who aren't getting their share, that are missing out the most.
?Children today have enough going on. They have enough challenges without having been abandoned by their parents and not having enough financial support they need,? said Carrigg.
Both Metts and Carrigg say Wednesday?s turn out is a step in the right direction for many of these parents, because their chances are slim to none after Wednesday.
This is the first time for Operation Last Chance, but based on it?s success, Carrigg says she'd like to make it an annual event.
We're told so many parents showed up, another judge had to be brought in to hear cases, three hours past the initial deadline.
WLTX has a program where we air profiles of parents who do not pay back child support. To submit someone who you think isn't paying up, click here.
2/28/2007 7:26:20 PM
