Westley Domangue
May 9, 2007CHECK THIS OUT!!!
May 11, 2007
An early morning operation aimed at arresting Lafourche and Terrebonne Parish parents wanted for back child support netted 15 arrests in Lafourche and at least 25 arrests in Terrebonne, early Thursday morning, according to law enforcement officials.
Both offices started the operation between 4 a.m. and 4:30 a.m., using the early morning hours for the “element of surprise,” said Lafourche Parish Sheriff Craig Webre. “Typically, people are going to be home, then.”
Lafourche Parish had warrants for 34 individuals, while Terrebonne Parish had over 150 warrants, according to Terrebonne Parish District Attorney Joe Waitz.
Webre said “about 50-percent” is the typical success rate of the initial parish-wide sweep. “Then for the next day or two,” he added, “I think we’ll see other people coming in as well.”
In Lafourche, Webre said the combined amount of money owed by the 34 people totaled $465,887 of unpaid child support. “The smallest is maybe $1,500 or $1,600,” he said. “But they go as high as one individual who owes $63,000 in arrears of child support. You’re looking at nearly half-a-million dollars in obligations that have been unpaid.”
Webre added that the 16 people arrested on the initial sweep represent $90,000 of that total.
The process of apprehending parents not paying child support begins months before a round up like today’s would take place.
“If a parent is owed a child-support obligation, they come in and give information to the state of Louisiana, through the Enforcement Division,” said Lafourche Parish District Attorney Cam Morvant. “The state then turns that over to the various district attorney’s offices throughout the state.”
From there, the matter is brought to court, and if the judge orders a support obligation to be paid, that doesn’t get paid, a warrant is issued. “And that’s why we’re here this morning,” said Morvant. “This is an ongoing process.
Waitz also stressed the “ongoing” part of the process.
“This is an ongoing operation,” he said. “I don’t want the general public to think that we, just once a year, go out and arrest people for not paying child support. It will continue. It will actually get even more vigorous in the years to come. We take it very seriously, because if you’re going to go out and make a child; become a father or mother, then you have an obligation. We take that very seriously, and we’re going to make sure that you follow your obligations.”
Morvant also stressed the importance of “living up” to obligations. “Our agencies are not going anywhere,” he said. “On a yearly basis, unfortunately, you’re going to probably see us over here conducting these round ups.
“The message that we’re trying to get out is if you have children, you have a moral obligation. I cannot think of anything worse than not supporting your children. All we’re asking people to do is live up to the obligation of supporting their children. If not, they’re going to see us.”
Jail terms vary for people not paying child support, but the purpose isn’t to put people in jails—it’s to get child support to the children. “The key to the jail is in their hands,” said Morvant. “In other words, if they can come up with the money, sometimes the judge will take that into consideration.”
Waitz echoed Morvant’s sentiments. “The primary purpose is to get the money,” he said. “If they’re willing to come up with the money … let them go on and raise their child and provide services and things that particular kids needs.”
