‘Most Wanted’ Deadbeat Dad Is No-Show in Court

A father labeled by county prosecutors as a “most wanted delinquent parent” failed to show up for sentencing.

Charles Donald Powell, who owes nearly $111,000 in child support and was the first man listed on the district attorney’s “Most Wanted Delinquent Parent” Internet page, said he didn’t appear Monday because he thought sentencing was on another day.

“It’s his M.O., he’s been doing this for years, abusing the system,” ex-wife Debbie Powell said outside Municipal Court where she waited all morning for him to appear.

Prosecutors want Powell to face 120 days in jail if he fails to make payments imposed by the court after the sentencing. Powell is free on $75,000 bail on the condition he pays $800 a month to support his two sons.

Sentencing was rescheduled for Tuesday.

The defendant was arrested Jan. 27 and pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor count of “willful failure to provide” child support.