The Jackson County Attorney, Ross Murray, and the new Commonwealth Attorney, Haley Jo Fields, have adopted a new approach to dealing with the issue of delinquent child support cases. On May 24th, 2025 the Jackson County Attorney’s Office posted the following message to their social media site: “The failure of a parent to pay child support is a failure of the most fundamental and basic responsibilities of a person who chooses to bring a child into this world.” Murray issued his first warning saying, “THIS IS A WARNING! You have 30 days to get your case into compliance. After that, if you are not making regular monthly payments in full on your child support obligation and you are $2,500.00 or more delinquent on your child support obligation, you can expect felony criminal charges to be filed against you from my office.”
Last week, the County Attorney’s Office posted an update on the issue on their social media page. The message was as follows:
“Child support enforcement update. My office submitted 8 child support criminal complaints last week for flagrant non-support and 8 warrants for arrest were issued by the Jackson District Court. As you know, our focus is shifting from civil enforcement to criminal enforcement for all NCPs (noncustodial parents) who owe $2,500.00 or more in child support and are not actively paying as ordered now that we have a Commonwealth Attorney that takes child support crimes seriously.
Because there are so many cases, it is taking us a bit of time to re-task but we are getting there. After the first of the year 2026, we will stop having civil child support court on the 3rd Tuesday of each month because of this shift in focus. Civil enforcement doesn't seem to get through to some people. So criminal enforcement it has to be. I don't like this. I don't like sending people to prison. But you've left me no choice.
There is still time for you NCPs who aren't paying to start. If you don't take action, you will end up with criminal charges and we will do our best to send you to prison, unless you turn it around. As it states in First Timothy 5:8, "But if any provide not for his own, and especially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith and is worse than an infidel." If you bring children into the world, you need to provide for them. And the sooner you start, the better it will be. But under the law, the only thing that the Commonwealth can force you to do is PAY YOUR CHILD SUPPORT! We can't make you be a good parent and provide emotional support for your children, but we can at least do that.
Anyway, if you are sitting at home hoping that we will miss or look over you, we won't. I don't care who you are related to or how important you think you are. It may take us a little while but we will get to you.
I will leave this on a slightly positive note. Some of you understood me when I started telling you what was coming. Some of you are paying better than you have in years or even ever. You lot have made me happy and are safe from criminal charges for delinquent child support out of my child support office, so long as you keep it up. I am not happy with the others. We are coming.
Pay your child support. You and I will both be happier.
Have a great rest of the year!
If you have any questions or wish to make a payment on your child support, please contact my friendly and helpful child support office personnel at: 160 Water Street West, McKee, Kentucky 40447. 606-287-5219. We will be absolutely thrilled to help you. Make my day.”
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