Most wanted suspects owe at least $25K

The Aiken County Sheriff's Office hasn't reserved the term "deadbeat" for just dads - the agency's most recent wanted suspects are mothers who are at least $25,000 behind in child support payments.

Typically it's a crime associated with men because women are more often awarded custody of the children, but if a person - male or female - is ordered by family court to pay child support to the other party and does not, it is a crime, said Capt. Troy Elwell, a sheriff's office spokesperson.

"The ideal here is that they get caught up on child support as soon as they can," he said. "We don't want to house them any more than they want to be."

After the suspects surrender, they will go to jail on the bench warrant issued for failing to pay as ordered by a judge. They will be held until the next session of family court.

"That could be days, weeks or months," Elwell said.

The more children a person has and the longer he or she goes without paying as ordered, the quicker the bill mounts.

There are other women wanted for failing to pay child support, but only a handful owe in excess of $25,000, officials reported.

"The best thing to do and the quickest way to settle the debt is to go before a judge and make arrangements," Elwell said.

Anyone with information about these individuals is asked to contact the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at (800) 922-9709. Individuals also should call CrimeStoppers of the Midlands at (888) 599-TIPS. Callers will remain anonymous and will be eligible for a cash reward of between $50 and $1,000.

Contact Karen Daily at kdaily@aikenstandard.com.