Twenty-seven Ohio counties are participating today in a round-up of parents who are delinquent in paying their court-ordered child support.

"Children deserve financial and emotional support from both parents," said ODJFS Director Tom Hayes. "When parents don't pay their child support, it's a crime and they will face the consequences."

Today's round-up is the fifth to be held in cooperation with counties across the state. Round-ups held from 1997 to 2000 resulted in more than 750 arrests statewide. The round-ups are conducted in a cooperative effort between ODJFS, county child support enforcement agencies and the Buckeye State Sheriff's Association.

Counties participating in today's round-up include: Ashland, Belmont, Butler, Defiance, Fairfield, Franklin, Geauga, Greene, Guernsey, Hardin, Lucas, Madison, Mahoning, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Morrow, Muskingum, Noble, Richland, Shelby, Stark, Summit, Tuscarawas, Union, Van Wert and Warren.

The number of persons arrested today is still being tallied. Those arrested could face charges of criminal non-support, a felony punishable by up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

There are 900,000 child support cases in Ohio. Total collections were $1.82 billion in State Fiscal Year 2001. Ohio has the sixth largest child support caseload in the nation, but is first in the distribution of current support and third in total collections.

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For more information, contact ODJFS Communications, (614) 466-6650.