Child-Support Crackdown After Week of Amnesty: Montco Sheriff

Sheriff Eileen Behr was joined by sheriff’s deputies and officials from the Montgomery County Domestic Relations Department on Wednesday to announce a child support amnesty program from June 10 to 14 for those with warrants for delinquent child support, followed by a period of serving warrants and making arrests on those who are still delinquent.

 “We’re giving the individuals an opportunity during that week —June 10 to 14—to turn themselves into the Domestic Relations Office without fear of being arrested,” said Gary Kline, director of domestic relations in Montgomery County.

Roughly 300 individuals have warrants out for non-payment of child support, totaling $5.7 million; they are asked to come to the office—located in One Montgomery Plaza on Swede and Main Streets in Norristown—between 8:30 a.m. and 4:15 p.m. to make arrangements so they can “start working and stop hiding,” according to Kline.

Currently, delinquent payers can have their drivers’—and in some cases, professional—licenses suspended, and Kline added they are often unable to find work for fear of being arrested.

“These folks are out there day to day looking over their shoulders, waiting to be arrested,” said Kline, who added that the warrants can also impact the parents' time with their children.

While the Domestic Relations Office will not negotiate the amount owed, payment plans can be arranged and licenses can be restored.

“The amnesty program is not here to forgive criminal acts, it’s not here to enforce things,” said Behr. “It’s here to set up a program to reunite the public with the support system to make a resolution—to get some payments in.”

While the June 10 to 14 will be a week for delinquents to turn themselves in with no arrest, it will be just the opposite beginning June 17.

“The week after the amnesty ends, starting June 17, we will have teams of deputies out there—hardcore, on the street—serving these warrants to bring them in,” said Behr.

The penalty can be up to six months in prison per case—meaning per domestic partner with whom the delinquent payer had children, according to Montgomery County Domestic Relations Enforcement Assistant Director Rebecca A. Colantuno.

“If you’re in the area—particularly in Pennsylvania—we’re coming for you,” said Behr.

According to Kline, county officials will work with the U.S. Attorney's Office on warrants of parents who owe support and now live in another state; the Project Save Our Children Act makes the intentional crossing of state lines to avoid child support payments a felony offense.

A list of the parents who are delinquent in paying—including one father who owes over $55,000 – can be seen on the Sheriff’s website. 

Tips from the public regarding the whereabouts of these individuals can be made anonymously by clicking here.

“We understand economic times are hard, but you have a responsibility—to your family, to your children—to make these payments,” Behr said.

Editor's Note: Additional information was added to the story regarding the Project Save Our Children Act.