Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced today that 36 parents were arrested in a sweep of child support scofflaws conducted over six days by Travis County Precinct 5 Constable Carlos B. Lopez. The Child Support Division (CSD) of the attorney general’s office assisted in the roundup, which targeted parents wanted for violating court orders requiring them to pay child support.

“Caring for your children is the fundamental and moral responsibility of any parent,” Attorney General Paxton said. “I commend everyone involved in holding accountable those who attempt to evade child support. Their efforts help ensure better care and better lives for Texas children.”

The countywide sweep began early Saturday morning, Sept. 17, when Constable Lopez dispatched six teams of deputy constables to track down noncompliant parents before they had a chance to leave their homes for the day. CSD investigators aided the constables by providing logistical assistance and helped to locate missing parents. The roundup was conducted daily through Thursday night, Sept. 22.

The delinquent parents arrested in the sweep face up to six months in jail. Cash bonds that parents pay to get out of jail go to the custodial parents and children who are owed back child support.

Parents who have outstanding warrants can avoid the embarrassment of arrest at their home or work by contacting the Precinct 5 warrant section at (512) 854-9582. Parents who have fallen behind on their child support payments – but are not yet subject to warrants for their arrest – should immediately contact the attorney general’s CSD at (800) 252-8014 to make payment arrangements.

Statewide, child support collected by the attorney general’s office exceeded $4 billion for the state fiscal year that ended Aug. 31. Parents in Travis County paid $146 million of that amount. For more information about the Office of the Attorney General and the child support services it offers, call (800) 252-8014 or visit the agency’s website at https://texasattorneygeneral.gov/cs/about-the-child-support-program