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New Sheriff’s unit tracks down felony child support "deadbeats" --- In first month, deputies arrest 67 offenders who owe $2.3 million

Wayne County Sheriff’s deputies, working closely with county prosecutors, have identified and arrested 67 of Wayne County’s 115 worst child support deadbeats as part of a new effort being spearheaded by Sheriff Warren C. Evans and Prosecutor Michael E. Duggan.

The Felony Friend of the Court Unit was created in early January to identify, secure warrants for, then track and apprehend the very worst offenders among Wayne County’s 28,000 men and women who owe a collective $3.7 billion in back child support. For these individuals, Prosecutor Duggan is issuing felony warrants, as opposed to civil warrants. The maximum penalty for a felony conviction for non-payment of child support is four years in prison.

"The non-payment of child support is one of the most heartless crimes we see every day because of who it affects," said Evans. "These people are not only letting innocent children go without life’s bare necessities, they are thumbing their nose at the system. This new approach should send a clear message that neither of those behaviors will go unpunished."

Since early January, Sheriff’s deputies and prosecutors have identified more than 100 people they have classified as the most egregious violators and have been executing felony warrants. According to Evans, these are individuals who are employed and have a high likelihood of making good on their payments. In just the first month of operation, 67 of the violators, who collectively owe more than $2.3 million in back child support, have been arrested. So far, more than $1 million of that money has been collected or ordered to be paid as a condition of probation.

"This is just the first round," said Evans. "We expect that prosecutors will identify additional deadbeats on a regular basis and add them to our felony list."

Because of the efficiency of Sheriff’s Office Friend of the Court officers, Evans said that between an average of 700 civil FOC arrests are made each month. Approximately 100 of those are as a result of an aggressive identification and apprehension effort by deputies. Others are arrested when individuals encounter a police officer for unrelated reasons and are found, through the Law Enforcement Information Network [LEIN] system, to be wanted for non-payment of child support.

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According to Duggan, in order for a person to be charged with a felony for non-payment of child support, their case must meet the following criteria:

• Must owe at least $10,000 in back child support
• Has been identified as having the ability to pay,
  but refuses to
• The ex-spouse must be willing to press charges
  against them

"As word gets out to these scofflaws that they may face felony charges, we believe many of them suddenly will be inspired to make good on their responsibility to their kids," Evans said.

Anyone with questions on a child support case, or in need of more information on how the system works, should call Friend of the Court Client Communications at 313-224-5381.

Key Facts
Wayne County Friend of the Court

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