Montco Officials Urging Deadbeat Parents To Beat Child Support Amnesty Deadline
By Brad Segall
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Deadbeat parents in Montgomery County have until the close of business Friday afternoon to show up in Norristown and make arrangements to pay what they owe -- or risk going to jail as the county's weeklong amnesty program draws to a close.
There are more than 300 outstanding warrants totaling more than $5.7 million, according to county officials. So far this week, two dozen people have turned themselves in to make arrangements to pay without fear of being arrested or sent to jail.
Those 24, including two on the county's most-wanted list, owe about $450,000 total.
"Some have been out of work, some of have been deemed disabled and hadn't brought in paperwork," notes Rebecca Colantuno with the county's domestic relations office. "They had basically been afraid to come in because they were afraid of being arrested."
Starting early Monday morning, two dozen deputy sheriffs will hit the streets of Montgomery County, dragging deadbeats out of bed if they have to and bringing them before a judge.
Those who fail to pay up or make payment arrangements could spend up to six months behind bars.
