Nearly 50 Deadbeat Parents Nabbed: Sheriff

Collectively, arrested parents owed more than $475,000, police say

A warrant sweep by the Cook County Sheriff's Dept. of parents delinquent on child support netted 48 arrests of parents who owe more than $475,000 in back payment.

The sweep started Oct. 12, with officers from the Sheriff’s Child Support Enforcement Unit going door-to-door to track down parents with outstanding warrants for failure to pay child support, officials said in a press release.

Among those arrested was 49-year-old Reginald Halford of the 1800 block of S. 50th St. in Chicago, who owed the highest amount, with unpaid support of $41,448.55, the release said.

A Chicago woman, Charlene Love, 34, of the 2700 block of E. 83rd Street, owed $38,921.00. Of those arrested, 18 owed more than $10,000 in support, and two were women.

"Many of these cases involve a single parent struggling to make ends meet and provide a decent life for their children," said Sheriff Tom Dart.  "The men and women we arrested are failing in one of the most important aspects of life -- taking care of your own child."

The Child Support Unit, started about two-and-a-half years ago, consists of 12 officers who drive unmarked cars.  It's funded by federal and state grants.

The unit has served more than 14,500 summons and made 986 arrests.

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