The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office reported it has charged six parents with nonsupport of a dependent child, a class C felony, for not paying their child support obligations.
The charges follow the prosecutor’s “Stop Delaying – Start Paying” child support amnesty initiative, which gave parents behind in child support the opportunity to come forward without penalties. The six parents charged are among those with the most egregious outstanding balances who failed to take advantage of the amnesty opportunities.
“There is no excuse anymore for these parents,” said Prosecutor Terry Curry. “In failing to make any effort to take financial responsibility for their children or to respond to our amnesty offer, they have failed their families and this community. As demonstrated by our amnesty initiative, we want to take a cooperative approach between our office and the parents who are behind in their child support, but those who thumb their nose at these opportunities will be prosecuted.”
Following is a list of the parents charged, their outstanding child support balance, and the number of children receiving support as of Oct. 5:
• Jumoke Bobbitt, $99,977.31, four children.
• Mark Brown, $80,238.73, two children.
• Brianna Clayton, $21,641.11, two children.
• Damon Edwards, $52,837.20, three children.
• Jeffrey Lewis, $37,465.00, one child.
• Khalis Smith, $77,759.00, one child.
Parents who are behind in child support are encouraged to contact the prosecutor’s office to begin payments. To schedule an appointment, arrange payment, or for more information, parents can contact www.indy.gov/childsupport or call (317) 327-1800.
Last year, the prosecutor’s office collected more than $100 million in child support. The office currently is managing approximately 76,000 child support cases.
