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51 North Texas Parents Arrested In Joint Law Enforcement Initiative

DALLAS COUNTY (CBSDFW.COM) - Not paying child support is unacceptable –- just ask some North Texas parents and the Texas Attorney General's Office, Dallas County Sheriff's Department or four separate Constable Offices in Dallas County.

All of the law enforcement agencies took part in a joint initiative that resulted in the arrest of 51 Dallas County parents who violated court child support payment court orders.

Officers hit the street at 6 a.m. Monday morning and located most of the parents before they had a chance to leave their homes for the day.

Texas Attorney General's Office officials say that more than $3.4 billion was collected during the state fiscal year that ended August 31. More than $357 million of that amount came from the Dallas region.

"By collecting child support, we are ensuring young Texans have the resources they need to grow healthy and strong," Attorney General Abbott said in a press release statement. "We are grateful to Dallas County law enforcement officials for their unfailing commitment to Texas children."

The dozens of parents arrested face up to six months in jail. Any money that the individual spay toward cash bonds is paid to the custodial parents and children who are owed back child support.

Officials strongly suggested that anyone who has fallen behind on child support payments, but has not had a warrant issued for their arrest, immediately contact the Attorney General's Child Support Division at (800) 252-8014 to make payment arrangements.

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