According to recent news reports, noncustodial parents who are behind on their child support payments are hiding out too easily. Parents across the nation owe hundreds, thousands -- even tens of thousands of dollars. Georgia and every other state must deal with child support debts within state borders on their own. Federal agencies, however, have come up with a new approach.

County deputies attempting to collect on these debts say that approximately 90 percent of the time there is no answer when knocking on doors. They also say they are often given an incorrect address, or the person no longer lives at the address they have.

Local police cannot go after parents who have moved across state lines. However, if these people cross state lines and owe more than $5,000, it is a felony and the federal government steps in.

Leaving the state owing that much is considered willful intent to avoid paying for child support debt. This means parents are avoiding paying for their child's livelihood, as well as ensuring their basic needs are met in a way they deserve, according to a Deputy Inspector from Health and Human Services.

Federal investigators are now naming names on a fugitive website. One of the top offenders has over $1 million in child support debt.

As we have discussed in September, many professional athletes are involved in large child support cases. A former NBA player recently pled guilty for not paying up to $1 million in child support obligations.

Nearly 500 parents who are not paying support have been tracked down by federal investigators since 2006. These efforts have recovered over $33 million in child support.

Source: WAVY.com, "Government goes after deadbeat parents," Jan. 18, 2012