64 men, 2 women are arrested for failure to pay child support

Julian Boose, center, is led away after being arrested for allegedly failing to pay support. lucas county

Brent Chambless owes $878 in child support. That's pocket change compared to what authorities say Willie Evans owes - more than $51,000.

The men, ages 29 and 53, respectively, were arrested during a roundup of 66 deadbeat parents who haven't paid child support or who have failed to show up in court on the matter.

Sixty-four men and two women who collectively owe more than $1 million in child support have been arrested since Friday, Lucas County Sheriff James Telb said yesterday.

More than half were arrested between Tuesday night and yesterday morning when authorities participated in a statewide sweep. The others were arrested before word of the annual dragnet, which targeted 100 people owing $1.9 million, got out, the sheriff said.

"These guys are the hard-core cases. They've gone through the civil system. Many will end up in prison," said Pat Hayes, a Lucas County assistant prosecutor. "That's some satisfaction for the mothers and children, but it doesn't get them much money."

Ms. Hayes said some of those arrested will pay up. Others will violate probation, and some will got to prison.

"Really, this is just a drop in the bucket," Sheriff Telb said.

Maricarol Torsok, director of the Lucas County Child Support Enforcement Agency, agreed but said such sweeps have a ripple effect.

Authorities hope this prompts those who were not arrested or those who owe child support to turn themselves in or pay up. The county has 52,000 cases, Ms. Torsok said.

During the sweep, authorities cleared 193 warrants, 84 of which were related to child support. Some warrants were for people who live in Lucas County but are charged in Wood, Fulton, and Ottawa counties. Some are repeat offenders. Four others not targeted in the roundup were arrested after authorities checked them for warrants. One was arrested on a fugitive federal weapons charge.