10 deadbeat dads indicted in Cuyahoga County, owe combined $200,000

CLEVELAND - The Cuyahoga County Support Enforcement Agency wouldn't exist if people paid to support their children.

Ten fathers in Cuyahoga County were indicted for not paying over $200,000 in child support.

"The people indicted today can pay, they just purposely don't. They refuse to do so," said Mary Denihan, senior administrative officer.

Some 70 percent of child support payments are received after garnishing someone's wages, but authorities can't do that if someone is self-employed or hops from job to job.

"They've been in court so many times before we indict them. They haven't complied with their hearings," explained Cuyahoga County Prosecuting Attorney Bill Mason.

"What good is someone going to do you in prison? They're not. This is the last step," said Denihan, who added more than $900 million is due in child support payments just in Cuyahoga County.

"When people don't pay their child support, we, the taxpayer, end up paying," explained Denihan.

Mason added, "after they are indicted, many of them come up with lump sums to pay to get that burden aside, which is a good thing because that's what we want."

The 10 men are facing fifth degree felony charges, which could equal a year in jail.

If they do end up paying, they could receive a lesser charge and lesser punishment.