| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 6:22:55 PM | Mom jailed over child support
By Beacon Journal staff
POSTED: 11:40 a.m. EDT, Aug 14, 2009
An Akron mother has been sentenced to six months in jail for failing to pay more than $29,000 in court-ordered support payments to her children.
Jacquelyn M. Blair, 35, was sentenced Thursday in Summit County Common Pleas Court by Judge Brenda Burnham Unruh. Prosecutors said Blair is in arrears on her support payments for her two children in the amount of $29,771.
Blair was initially ordered to pay the custodial parent $246.30 per month, per child. She had paid on $200 in total, prosecutors said. She was charged with criminal non-support in 2006 and given probation.
In 2008, Blair pleaded guilty to violating her probation for not making the payments and was sentenced to an additional year of probation, prosecutors said.
Blair continued to ignore the court-order this year, prompting the jail sentence.
An Akron mother has been sentenced to six months in jail for failing to pay more than $29,000 in court-ordered support payments to her children.
Jacquelyn M. Blair, 35, was sentenced Thursday in Summit County Common Pleas Court by Judge Brenda Burnham Unruh. Prosecutors said Blair is in arrears on her support payments for her two children in the amount of $29,771.
Blair was initially ordered to pay the custodial parent $246.30 per month, per child. She had paid on $200 in total, prosecutors said. She was charged with criminal non-support in 2006 and given probation.
In 2008, Blair pleaded guilty to violating her probation for not making the payments and was sentenced to an additional year of probation, prosecutors said.
Blair continued to ignore the court-order this year, prompting the jail sentence.
Not something you see very often, but maybe a sign times are changing and women who do not pay their child support will be held to the same standards as men. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 6:34:24 PM | | Perhaps, we will stop hearing blanket statements like "mothers always know best" and "children need their mothers more than fathers". | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 6:44:18 PM | Damn straight they should be held to the same standards. Any person, man or woman who has the means to fulfill their obligations to their children should absolutely be held accountable if they fail to do so.
It sickens and confounds me that parents see no need and/or have no desire to take care of their children. I have never understood it, except that there seems to be some sort of 'out of sight, out of mind' phenomenon that takes place.
I have seen it to a tiny extent with my children's father on occasion. It is a very weird thing.
Oh, and for the record, some mothers do not believe for a moment that they are more "needed" or know better than a child's father. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 6:45:34 PM | | One can always hope...lol. I believe that a child needs both their parents, and that they should set aside whatever issues they have towards each other and concentrate on the child. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 6:49:28 PM | | My ex to a certain degree to has the "out of sight, out of mind" mentality sometimes, and I don't understand it...lol. He sees our daughter 2-3 times a weeks, but rarely asks about her between the times he has her. I call and check to see how she is doing if I am gone all day and she is with my mom or his mom...lol, not because I don't trust them, just because I am thinking about my daughter and want to hear about what she is doing. Is that strange on my part? lol | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 6:50:10 PM | How are women who do not pay child support not held to the same standards as men?
It was my understanding that if you are ordered to pay, and you don't, you go to jail..regardless of what sex you are.
Maybe I am just sheltered..Actually I have never known any women who have had to pay child support so maybe that has to do with it too. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 6:52:22 PM | | An excellent sign that mothers are and should be held accountable just as much as men for their children's well being, regardless of who is the custodial parent. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 6:52:22 PM | I don't know what the solution is to get parents to step up and do right by their kids, but I can't see how jailing someone for owing money can ever result in them paying the money they owe --- debtor's prisons didn't work in the past, they don't work now.
My children's father is in "arrears" for more than the amount in the OP's story, but there's absolutely nothing about putting him in jail that would be good for my boys in any way shape or form. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 7:06:18 PM | My children's father is in "arrears" for more than the amount in the OP's story, but there's absolutely nothing about putting him in jail that would be good for my boys in any way shape or form. This is an excellent point Lorelei. Punitive measures are not going to change a thing.
And hey, if they're in jail, they're not out there earning the money for CS in the first place! Having someone in jail costs an absolute fortune. That money would be way better spent allocating resources to taking, by 'force' (no, not physical force!  ), if necessary the money that is owed. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 8:44:45 PM | How are women who do not pay child support not held to the same standards as men?
I'm a good example of that - my ex is almost $8000 in arrears, she hasn't paid support in over 3 years (I've taken her taxes, but that's not the same)
She's currently taking me to court to reduce the amount of child support she's not paying me. I've spent almost $4k in attorney's fees, but she has successfully drug this out, representing herself, working under the table jobs etc.
She hasn't had her driver's license suspended, she's not been arrested, and I bear the burden of all the collection costs and attorney's fees. Yet she's still free...
The same rules don't apply to men, the get nailed for child support based on 'presumptive income' meaning what the court says you can earn, regardless of actual earnings. They do have their licenses suspended, despite the fact they need to drive in order to work, and they get jailed far more frequently than women do.
The tide is turning, bit by bit, but you can ask any guy who has been through it, the deck has been stacked in favor of the women (because they are presumed to be 'victims' in these sorts of cases).
I personally would be happy enough with never seeing my ex (or the money) again, but because of her filing in court, I am obligated to fight her to prevent another battle over custody or some other random cause she dreams up... | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 8:45:38 PM | | I have known men and women to be picked up. Not many, but one was a guy I was dating. He pretty much gave up on his ex wife, she was picked up once. She left for Florida with her new bf. Then there was a guy that would only do construction where he could work under the table so he didn't have to pay the ex. If negative motivates people, go for it, but I don't see jailing someone as being motivation. I know my ex keeps his earnings down so that he won't have to pay more support. Couldn't help his son buy a car. Couldn't help with the senior pictures. Now I hear he is going to the shore next weekend. These things never make any sense, they are their children. I often wonder if anyone is ever up to date and not in arrears with their support. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 10:07:44 PM |
The tide is turning, bit by bit, but you can ask any guy who has been through it, the deck has been stacked in favor of the women (because they are presumed to be 'victims' in these sorts of cases).
The tide will continue to turn as women take their rightful place at the table in the workplace and begin to make the same or money than men. During my divorce settlement, I warned my ex-wife that she may run into that whole "presumptive income" issue. Before we moved to our current location, she had a higher paying job than I did, but after the move, even with her Masters degree, she only took a part-time job. Luckily for both of us, we were able to come to our own accord without it getting nasty. But even with that said, because she is a teacher (and the way most schools do their pay increases) as compared to my job in the slumping Auto industry, she will easily be making more money than I will. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 10:52:14 PM |
How are women who do not pay child support not held to the same standards as men?
It was my understanding that if you are ordered to pay, and you don't, you go to jail..regardless of what sex you are.
Maybe I am just sheltered..Actually I have never known any women who have had to pay child support so maybe that has to do with it too.
Yes, you're sheltered.
Back in the early 1990s I did volunteer work for an organization that dealt with these issues, coordinating for the state of Florida. Child support from non-custodial mothers to custodial fathers was rarely ordered. When it was, it averaged one tenth of the average support ordered from non-custodial fathers. Rates of non-compliance were astronomical, and I never ran across a single instance of a non-custodial mother being held in contempt for not paying.
It depressed me so much I had to quit.
I'm glad to see that (maybe) things are getting more equitable. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/14/2009 11:31:12 PM | A child does not need both their parents.
What a child needs is a parent, or parents, that actually care and love the child.
Do you mean to tell me that two parents putting aside their issues - will miraculously be happy now? I think not.
Having two parents who are not happy, who you can tell are trying hard to ignore issues (and believe me - children are more aware than most people give them credit for. They WILL know), is in any way better off for the child than having only a single parent who does not have the stress of having to be around the other parent when there are all of these unresolved ( and now ignored) issues?
There is also the scenario I find myself in. A widow. We did not drift apart, or have unresolvable differences, or any of the other reasons people get divorced. Am I supposed to then run out and find the first person I can marry because my son needs both parents?
No - I believe your statement was not only made in far too much haste, but also did not take into account the many factors which go into making a happy home.
A happy home is more important for a childs development and well-being than a full home. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/15/2009 12:20:13 AM | Good.. this reminds me i need to go down to DCS and tell them to start the proceedings to jail my ex..
8k in the hole to me. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/15/2009 4:22:17 AM | | I do believe a child needs both parents, I never said it was or had to be in the same home. My ex and I have a daughter, and we are not together. Assuming that both parents love the child, he or she deserves to have/spend time with each parent. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/15/2009 5:44:04 AM | | I hate to say it, but this is very rare. Women are still getting preferential treatment in the court system and in the enforcement system. Even the media gives more importance to mothers. There was a news story where the effects of alcohol on a mother's parenting were being looked at. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/15/2009 6:06:26 AM |
I do believe a child needs both parents
I feel that children "want" both parents. What happens when the parent is not available for the child and would rather be doing something else? My ex has hardly ever spent time with our son. I was always with him and doing everything I could with him, yet she wants to be the one with custody. Even now when she has him, he is with her dad, not her! I would love to see her spend more time with our son, she could learn a few things from him. I know that she loves him and she does care to a certain extent but when a child sees that behavior it is not in best interest for them. They always wonder if that parent loves them. I show him that I love him and I am always there for him regardless of what happened. Some parents are not cut out to raise children. Some would rather have the"out of sight" deal as above mentioned. I myself do not believe in the child support issues, I believe that the parents should each pay their part, not some number figured by the CSEA! Yes the child needs things but more than often the one getting the support isn't using it on the actual support. I have seen many instances where this happens. I think that it is insane. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/15/2009 6:15:38 AM |
I myself do not believe in the child support issues, I believe that the parents should each pay their part, not some number figured by the CSEA
That's a good concept, but unfortunatly there are men out there who expect Mom to supply most things and refuse to spend too much of their own money to supply for their kids. Or there are the men who take off and expect Mom to raise the baby by herself financially and otherwise. I don't think it should be all on one parent to supply for the kids financially. If you help make a baby, you should help take care of it regardless of the circumstances regarding the conception, breakup, or whatever else. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/15/2009 6:46:53 AM | Trouble with "if you help make a baby you should help" is that men are left out of the decision process, never end up with an equitable deal as far as custody and cannot stop a woman from having an abortion yet are expected to pay "half" of the financial responsibility for a mere fraction of time.
Most men don't even bother going for Child support because they know they will never see it or it is a paltry sum at best.
In this day and age child support should be abolished until such time as a more equitable system can be found.
If a woman wants a child then so be it but with that choice comes all the responsibility that goes with that choice.
Thread after thread here just proves over and over that accidental pregnancies aren't so accidental but given the current laws that hardly matters because those lies become the truth.
Sad that it has taken this long to get so little.
I have asked for a list of all women that have been prosecuted for violating a CS or custody arrangement order and there is no list because of the rarity of being held accountable. Yet for men it is the only set of laws that we currently have that presumes guilt and even if he tries to prove that he is unable to pay he will still have his life destroyed by first taking his licence and tossing him in jail. Thus totally removing his willingness and ability to pay.
Meanwhile, hardly any funding is provided to search out these few men who have been able to work under the table and create the idea of having these laws neccessary.
If we made the employers of these people legally liable it would end quickly but the people who could do this are probably the same that hire them to put their new driveway or pool or new addition on a house and pay cash to save money thus keeping the problem swept under the rug.
There is a vast underground cash only network that is alive and well and those are the people we need to concentrate on, not the fathers who have lost the ability to pay but are treated with disdain.
Putting anyone in jail for non payment is not a solution. It is a politicians way of buying votes from the female gender. Maybe though if more women are sent to jail we will see a change but one is not enough and this will remain a very isolated incident. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/15/2009 7:00:43 AM | | I understand that carterscutie, however I know PLENTY of women who have done the same thing. My ex is one, putting support before the child is never good. I never cared if her ex paid CS, but she couldn't wait until his payment came so she could get her hair done, or nails, or whatever. I know a few guys that have taken the responsibility of raising their children with no support at all (and are doing a fantastic job at it). Men do not care if the woman pays, we are just happy to raise our children. A lot of women will fight until the death to get support though. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/15/2009 7:58:16 AM |
I don't know what the solution is to get parents to step up and do right by their kids, but I can't see how jailing someone for owing money can ever result in them paying the money they owe --- debtor's prisons didn't work in the past, they don't work now.
They aren't being jailed because they aren't paying, they are being put in jail for not following a court order.
And the argument of "if you put them in jail, they won't pay" is lame. Why? Well, why are they in contempt of a court order?
And, yes, a mother disregarding a court order and not paying should result in her going to jail just as much as a man disregarding a court order does.
And the children seeing the result of not following a court order is a good way to teach them the consequences of one's actions. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/15/2009 8:18:23 AM | And the argument of "if you put them in jail, they won't pay" is lame. Why? Well, why are they in contempt of a court order?
Women are not being held accountable this is an extremely rare occurance.
Like I said in my post because this court order is based on a set of laws that assumes guilt and not innocence or an actual inability to pay. This set of laws is prompted by a small percentage of men who are making all men look bad.
The woman's political lobby groups pushed their agenda based on a small percentage of men who actually do dodge paying.
If we threw all the women who have themselves been in contempt of a court order you would be singing a different tune.
Mainly it will go like this.
Think of the children, who will care for them while she is in jail?
My thinking would, the dads? And they would in most cases be happy about it, never mention child support and cherish the situation.
Same can't be said for too many women. | |
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| Mom Jailed over child support
Posted: 8/15/2009 8:23:08 AM | | That is an interesting article OP. Not PC for sure. This also is becoming more prevelent because of demographic shifts. Its interesting from an international standpoint also, ie. child support enforcement abroad. Since the United States is no longer an isolated acting global nation state. It would seem that international child support enforcement with the US and other countries would also become more prevalent especially with neighboring countries. | |
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