POSTED: Thursday, December 1, 2011 - 6:35pm
UPDATED: Friday, December 9, 2011 - 3:59pm
EL PASO- In ordinary language, it’s called being a deadbeat dad. Police arrested former El Paso city representative Paul Escobar on charges that he's behind almost 80 thousand dollars in child support payments.
Court documents show Escobar went 30 months without making a single payment, and other months paying only part of the amount to his ex-wife.
The El Paso County Domestic Relations Office took its evidence to a judge, and the judge held Escobar in contempt.
Attorney Ouisa Davis over-looks all child support cases at El Paso's Domestic Relations Office.
She says often times, parents who fail to pay child support don't take the law seriously.
"The judge can put you in jail that day, or enter interim order to try to get you into compliance. In most cases, as in some of the recent cases, that has been done over and over again, and people still do what they want to do,” said Davis.
Davis says some people get angry with an ex-spouse or hold a grudge against them by failing to pay and that can be a very bad choice.
“If you don't pay your child support, you will go to jail. I think that is something people need to recognize. This is not something that can be negotiated between parties. It is an order of the court,” said Davis.
If someone attempts to hide their income or assets from the court, Davis says it is only a matter of time before they find it.
"Any property you own, any bank account, believe me we will seize it. We will file leans against it. We will take any money you have, and if you transfer your money to a third party who is unrelated. We will trace it,” said Davis.
Davis says as a parent, you have a responsibility to take care of your children. Refusing to do so, leaves the burden on the other parent.
"I think it's very sad when we see people who do not pay their child support. The custodial parent bares the full expense of raising a child that two people brought into this world,” said Davis.
Escobar was released from jail Thursday afternoon. We've called Mr. Escobar's attorney and are waiting for his comments on the case.