|
Evans & Worthy target county’s worst deadbeat parents for failing to pay
Dozens of local deadbeat parents were struck by CUPID’s arrow this Valentine’s Day week, but not in a romantic sense, Wayne County’s two top law enforcement officials announced today.
Over the past several days, 80 individuals were arrested as a part of Operation CUPID (Children Unsupported by Parents Intervention Detail) on felony warrants related to their failure to pay significant amounts of child support. Currently, there is an estimated $3.5 billion in unpaid back child support owed to Wayne County children and their custodial parents.
Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans and Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy developed and coordinated the intensified effort, which is an extension of the work their offices do every day through their Felony Non-Support units to hold non-custodial parents accountable. Nearly 40 sheriff’s deputies hit the streets Tuesday through Thursday to make the arrests.
“Failing to financially support your own children when you have the ability to pay is a crime, both legally and morally speaking,” Evans said. “Every dollar that is collected as a result of this effort can be used to by custodial parents to purchase their kids the new clothes, school supplies – or even food – they need to thrive.”
For this operation, Worthy’s office identified 400 individuals who owe a collective $14 million and have:
- Been charged with felony child non-support
- Not-in-custody warrants issued for their arrest
- Violated the terms of their probation on prior child support related convictions
- Failed to appear in court on a prior case involving their failure to pay child support
“The money we collect makes a tremendous impact and enhances the quality of life for so many children,” Worthy said. “Without these funds some children are forced to go with out the basic necessities of life.”
Among those arrested during Operation CUPID were:
 |
Michael Fryer, 47, of Detroit,
who owes $120,000 (three sons) |
 |
John Head, 48, of Dearborn,
who owes $100,000 (one daughter, one son) |
 |
Bradley Bingham, 45, of Westland,
who owes $82,300 (two sons) |
The total arrearage owed by those arrested during this effort has been $2.5 million heading into the final day of the operation. All of those arrested have been charged with four-year felonies, but can have the charges dropped if they begin making regular payments, Worthy said.
“It is important to note that we did not target anyone who may be just a couple of months behind or who have no income to make payments,” Evans said. “These are the most egregious and recalcitrant deadbeat parents in Wayne County who have failed, often multiple times, to comply with court orders to pay.”
Evans and Worthy both pointed out that their ultimate goal is not to put people in jail or prison, which would affect their ability to pay child support, but to use the possibility of a felony conviction as an incentive for non-custodial parents to own up to their legal obligations to their children.
|
