Hundreds of Mecklenburg County fathers and mothers owe thousands of dollars in back child support payments.
Since March 1995, the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office has been doing something about this insidious problem by publicizing the top 10 most wanted "deadbeat parents." Their photographs are shown daily on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Cable Television Channel 16 and posted in Sheriff's Office buildings.

The outcome has been so successful that thousands of dollars in back support payments have been collected and returned to support deserving children. Because of the program's results, Governor Jim Hunt in August 1995 modeled a state program on the Mecklenburg County effort.

 Many of the children of parents who refuse to make their child support payments end up on some sort of government program, costing taxpayers millions of dollars annually. "We must get tough on these individuals," said Sheriff Jim Pendergraph. "Not only do their children suffer, but other taxpayers -- you and me -- have to pay more taxes to meet these deadbeats' obligations. It's not fair! I will do all within my power to see that they meet their court-mandated responsibilities."

Do you have any information that will help the Mecklenburg County Sheriff's Office locate these deadbeat parents who owe thousands of dollars in back child support payments? If you do, please call 704-336-3679.  With your help we can make sure that these parents support their children and take the burden from taxpayers.