Do you feel Non-Paying Parents of Child Support should be prosecuted for child neglect?

Question

Child neglect is a form of child abuse and prosecuted in a court of law as abuse with parents and other individuals responsible for neglecting the child. Why do Non-paying parents get a slap on the wrist. The biggest form of child neglect I feel is not paying child support for your child. All other forms of neglect stem from this form of neglect such as, hunger, health(mediacal costs) clothing, education along with many more. Not paying child support intentionally is a criminal act. It is a crime against childern. A form of child abuse, child neglect and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent.

Answer 1

I think charging non-paying parents of child support with neglect is an outstanding idea. Child abandonment, child endangerment, child abuse, child neglect all apply. You are on to something, and I love it.

I can tell you why it isn't happening already, and that's because if we make not paying child support a crime there wouldn't be enough jail cells to hold all the deadbeat parents, and we need the space for violent offenders. I don't think our society places enough value on children, so I am all for building jails for neglectful parents. Or we could take the offending parents to the Humane Society. The Humane Society loves strays, and they don't mind fleas and other parasites.

Answer 2

Saying it is child abuse is a bit rash; however, any parent who is not only ordered by the courts, but had a part in bringing a child into this world, needs to be accountable for that child's upbringing and financial stability. You are right when you say non-payment can subsequently lead to all of those things. A deadbeat father (or mother) can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, including loss of licensures, etc. I totally agree that such a person deserves to do serious time, as well as have his/her salary attached until every dime is paid (interest should also be applied as far as I am concerned). So, yes to that part...but in spite of the fact that non-pymnt is a criminal offense, I dont really think its considered abuse according to the laws. Perhaps it should be.

Answer 3

I don't know about other states, but I was in a J&DR court clerk's office here in Virginia, and they had a WANTED poster up showing pictures of parents who owed child support, how many children they owed for, and how much they owed. Something like that should be posted out in public, not just in the clerk's office.

You raise an interesting point, though. I think people who don't pay child support should be punished, but I'm not sure if child neglect is the way to go.

Answer 4

Yes I agree on this one. But if you put this person in jail the child is still suffering from lack of being cared for, and most the fathers know this also. There are some mom's out there who are ordered to pay child support, and do not. How much time spent in jail.. and when they get out.. back child support due.. and the child still does not have the care.. except by one parent.. hopefully.

Answer 5

Well no they should be prosecuted for criminal non-support of a child. Most states have this law but they are rarely enforced due to evidence problems. Here in KS there is a built in get out of jail free card if the parent pays within a certain period. And even then, it is one of the lowest level felonies so there is really no chance of going to prison. It sounds mean but has no teeth.

Also, if you put the parent in prison, they still won't pay child support.

Answer 6

It doesnt matter which way this is dressed,the child is gone.That is the sad part,sad sad sad but it didnt have to be this way did it.You can rant at me all you like,my wife and i were there when our daughter passed aged six,blind and deaf,but we didnt close the door and walk away,and expect a heap of sympathy because we just had to walk out Nobody gave me anything and i was back on my postbike within a week and i am a neckbreather.I have never smoked or drank,and yet we end up with more than our fair share of trouble.But if i make a mistake then here it is I GOT IT WRONG,NOT ROCKET SCIENCE have my life talk like a robot,but stop trying to justify to me that it was right and normal,because it isnt

Answer 7

"You breed them,you feed them"!!govt should not be in the business of raising peoples children! lowest excuse for a man or woman is child abandonment,non support etc.! scum of the earth!!what should be done is each child born, before having any "American rights" should have a mother and father,DNA checked for correctness, put on the official birth certificate, SS#'s confirmed, and then if non payment occurs a TAX is levied on all assets,pay, stocks etc that would then be used to support child. It would relieve the rest of us who do take and support our own offspring, a BREAK!! In the event that said idiots non comply,an automatic non plea bargained jail sentence of 5 years,same as welfare eligibility would run concurrently.and it would be renewable if said idiots still act like idiots.

Answer 8

Yes here in Indiana we have a program called impact. It's for women who get gov assistant. I think the non custodial parent should be forced to do this program if they 're behind on support. The monies that the gov would be given should be off of the fathers sweat. After all he has to pay the state back. This program mandate a 20hr job log a week and job skills etc.... The women should be allowed to focus on their education and raising the kids.

Answer 9

As a payer of child support, I can tell you that people can go to jail for failing to meet this obligation.

Problem is--there are plenty of women who will refuse to file the necessary charges to get the ex-husband jailed.

My father neglected his financial duty. My mom managed to feed us without it, and refused to sue him or file to have him arrested. She may have felt that us children did not need any further humiliation of knowing our father was in jail for not caring for us. In either case, putting him in jail would have lost him is job and we still wouldn't have been paid.

Seems life's not fair, and nothing we can do will make it so.

Answer 10

Yes