In Atlanta, as elsewhere in the U.S., failure to pay child support can have serious consequences.
This is the case regardless of whether the parents who had the child together were ever married and divorced. Even if a couple was never married, child support obligations can come into play.
In fact, this is happening right now in a case involving former NFL football star Terrell Owens and an Atlanta woman. Five years ago, a court ordered Owens to pay the woman, Melanie Smith, $5,000 a month in child support. The money was to be for their daughter.
According to the Atlanta Journal Constitution, Owens also has three other children, with three other women.
Smith is seeking to have a court cite Owens for contempt for failure to pay the required money. She also claims that Owens has sent her several text messages with a taunting tone.
Smith is not only seeking to compel Owens to pay $30,000 in back support. She is also seeking interest on that money, as well as attorneys’ fees.
Smith has tried to have Owens held in contempt before. That petition was dismissed a year ago after Owens paid up.
A hearing on Smith’s current petition is scheduled for July 12. Owens could face jail time or a fine if the court agrees with Smith’s assertions.
Terrell Owens was once a star wide receiver for the San Francisco 49ers, and has played for several other NFL teams. Now 38, he last played in the NFL two years ago, but claims he plans a comeback.
Source: “Woman wants Terrell Owens held in contempt over child support,” Atlanta Journal Constitution, 6-7-12
