|
Read News
|
Pocono News Section
Child Support Amnesty Week
Child Support Amnesty Week - Thursday, August 7, 2008 at 3:07PM EST
Reported by: Laurie Monteforte
Thursday, Aug 7, 2008 @ 03:07pm EST
STROUDSBURG - Hundreds of parents in Monroe County owe back child support payments. "There's a steady increase in the volume of cases all across Pennsylvania," said Lee Miller. He's the Director of the Monroe County Domestic Relations Office.
He wants every deadbeat parent to pay up. "We have approximately 190 warrants still outstanding," he said.
This week his office is offering amnesty. That means if you owe back child support you can go and pay it without getting arrested.
So far only about 20 people have taken advantage of amnesty week. If the rest don't pay by Friday, they'll go to jail.
Miller said, "We plan on going out and arresting hopefully all of the people who do not turn themselves in this week."
People who have seen parents withhold money think it's a great idea. "They have an opportunity to make up for it. It's a good deal," said Gilbert Vazquez. He was at the courthouse to support a relative fighting for child support.
He said the families struggle to pay for necessities. And added, "You got one parent struggling. The other one is non existent and it's the children who always get caught up in the middle."
So he supports any program that gets the kids the support they need. "Children should not be paying for our mistakes. And that's who always pays for our mistakes," he said.
So far this week, Monroe County has collected about $2,000 in back child support payments. Parents who don't pay can spend up to six months in jail. | | |
|
|
|