Fitz, Friend of the Court Pursuing child support

Published 6:59 am Tuesday, June 2, 2009

By Staff
CASSOPOLIS – Parents in Cass County who can pay child support but are disregarding court orders to do so – beware, you've got mail.
And those who ignore their written warning can expect criminal charges to be filed against them on June 16.
Prosecutor Victor Fitz and the Cass County Friend of the Court are initiating a joint effort this week to pursue the collection of child support from parents who have repeatedly ignored financial responsibility for their offspring.
Instead of paying for the food, shelter and clothing of their children, these parents are spending the money elsewhere.
Fitz emphasizes, "The vast majority of parents who pay child support make every effort to be timely." He praises them for those efforts. "They understand the many responsibilities of being a mother or father and take it seriously. However, a small group choose to ignore court orders despite being able to pay."
The focus will be on parents who, despite an ability to pay child support, have allowed a serious delinquency to accrue.
In most cases the amount owed to the taxpayers or the custodial parent is over $5,000.
State-wide, taxpayers are struggling with literally millions of dollars in debt caused by employed parents who simply choose not to pay their child support.
Phase One of the Cass County program begins today.
Fitz is sending out a wave of warning letters dated June 2, 2009, to the severely delinquent child support payers in Cass County.
The letter will advise the delinquent parents that their continual disregard of child support orders is about to subject them to criminal prosecution.
The wayward parents will be further advised that the only way to avoid such prosecution is to contact Ron Cruzan, warrant officer for the Cass County Friend of the Court by June 15.
Cruzan will work with the delinquent parent to resolve outstanding bench warrants and to make payment arrangements on their child support orders.
These targeted parents have in the past snubbed Friend of the Court efforts to get their payments caught up.
Those who ignore the Prosecutor's June 2 warning letter clearly do so at their own peril.
Phase Two will begin June 16.
It involves criminal prosecution for failure to pay child support.
Under Michigan law, failing to pay child support is a felony punishable by up to four years in prison and/or a $2,000 fine.
The Cass County Prosecutor advises that there will be no extensions for those who disregard his letter: "Enough is enough. They have already received repeated warnings. But instead of stepping up to the plate, they are ignoring court orders. Many have bench warrants out for their arrest because they haven't even bothered to call or show up for court dates. So let's be very clear here. Those who don't call Mr. Cruzan by June 15, 2009, will be arrested on felony charges."
Fitz advised, "We're dealing with a relatively small group of seriously delinquent parents who can pay but simply don't. The needs of their own children are not a high priority. Unfortunately, a long list of preferences, including cable TV, tattoos, video games, the Internet, restaurants, entertainment, cars, cigarettes and alcohol seem to be of more importance than food, clothing and shelter for their own children.
"It is puzzling that some adults expect other citizens to foot the bill. If you have kids, you need to take care of them. Period. No excuses. We can work with you, but only if you call Mr. Cruzan."
Fitz added, "In these tough economic times it is essential that able-bodied parents take responsibility for their kids rather than expecting already severely burdened taxpayers to bail them out."
Any person with a child support arrearage in Cass County should contact the Cass County Friend of the Court at 445-4445 by June 15 to make payment arrangements.
On June 16, it may be too late.