Batavia, Ohio – Clermont County Child Support Services will offer amnesty during October to noncustodial parents who have outstanding civil warrants relating to a child support hearing. The amnesty does not include criminal cases that are filed in Common Pleas Court.
During the month of October, parents who have failed to appear for a court hearing, or to report to jail to serve a sentence relating to child support only, should contact the Child Support Services.
The child support agency will suspend or withdraw civil bench warrants for those parents who arrange to make payments toward their child support, who are employed or registered with Ohio Means Jobs, or who meet certain other criteria. There will be no fee for this service.
“The goal of the amnesty program is to reduce the number of outstanding civil warrants and to try to get these parents back on track and heading in the right direction,” said Brenda Gilreath, assistant director of Child Support Services. “This amnesty program will allow the parents who have warrants an opportunity to reach a legal resolution by working on a compliance plan – and the resolution is at no cost for the service.”
In March 2017, Child Support Services held an amnesty, and were encouraged by the response. One hundred twenty noncustodial parents had their warrants removed and began paying child support. “Our message then, and our message now, is that this is the right thing to do,” said Gilreath. “Parents who are in jail cannot hold a job, and cannot pay child support. If the parent is serious, we will do everything we can to help them so that they can help their children.”
The child support program serves more children than any other public program in Ohio, second only to the Department of Education. In 2017, the Clermont County agency collected almost $36 million in child support. The agency currently has 719 civil warrants associated with child support cases, representing $10.3 million in past due support.
To find out more, or to start arrangements, noncustodial parents can call the warrant caseworker at 513.732.7334 at any time (leave a voicemail after hours), or visit the Child Support Office from 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday during the month of October. Appointments are not necessary during these hours but are encouraged.
Noncustodial parents can also email [email protected]. Find out more information on the Child Support Services website, www.clermontsupportskids.org.
Media: For more information, contact Theresa Bechtel Ellison, Lead Attorney, or Brenda Gilreath, Deputy Director, at 513.732.7429.
