The Deadbeat Child Support System

Although I applaud your attempt to bring attention to the issue of unpaid child support (“Unpaid Child Support Cases on the Rise in O.C.,” May 15), I do not feel your selection of examples is representative of most child support cases. I have been trying to collect back child support since 1992 and I do not live in a 7,800-square-foot house and I am not on welfare, therefore the county does not view my case as a priority.

But I may have to apply for welfare very shortly since the state has suspended my ex-husband’s professional license. He is a plumber and now cannot get work because the state, in its misplaced logic, took away his contractor’s license for failure to pay child support. Well, now he cannot pay me anything since it is illegal for anyone to hire him without a contractor’s license!

I am not sitting at home on my duff waiting for the checks to roll in. I am employed as a nurse, yet struggle to make ends meet as a single parent. I cannot afford to buy my son much-needed eyeglasses or provide specialized medical care, because there is no money left over after rent and groceries. Yet, if I gave up my job and went on welfare, my son would be at least assured of medical care.

Your article mentions the fancy computer system to track down deadbeat parents. There is a severe shortage of personnel pursuing these cases, and all the computers in the world won’t help if there are no personnel to act on the information.

I always feel like I am being penalized by the system just for trying to collect the court-ordered child support my ex-husband refuses to pay. But more than anything, the children suffer. If the taxpayers are really serious about welfare reform, they will demand an increase in personnel in the district attorney’s office to force deadbeat parents to live up to their responsibilities.

CHRISTINE AMBRIZ

Huntington Beach