Deadbeat parents in Summit County are getting a chance to make it right.
The Summit County Prosecutor's Office, which oversees the Summit County Child Support Enforcement Agency, is hosting an amnesty program today and Saturday. It gives people who are behind on child support payments a way to make arrangements before they wind up with a suspended driver's license or a felony charge.
"We are definitely working out payment plans, so if somebody owes money, yes, we are trying to work out payment plans," said Summit County Prosecutor Sherri Bevan Walsh.
Bevan Walsh says there are 55,000 child support cases in Summit County and a growing number of them are in arrears.
"Either because of poor relationship issues with their ex or the economy certainly has had a great effect as well on their ability to pay child support," said Walsh.
About 1,000 people took advantage of a similar program a few years ago. 60 people showed up within the first 45 minutes today.
Payees who want to address a non-payment issue can walk in at The Job Center on East Tallmadge Avenue today until 4:00 p.m. or Saturday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.
