10 list gets lukewarm reaction

By JENNY BENNETT

Staff Writer

Feb. 13, 2001 10 PM

Have you seen the lost dogs?

They were featured in a full-page ad in Alabama’s four biggest newspapers and as a half-page ad in every other daily newspaper across the state.

The 10 most wanted list, or the lost dogs, was compiled from data submitted by each of the 67 county departments of Human Resources.

In the 2000 Legislative Session, legislation was enacted requiring the Alabama DHR to list the names, photos, and identifying information of ten child support obligors who are delinquent in their payments. This law became effective October 1, 2000.

The listing is published in state newspapers as well as on DHR’s website – http://www.dhr.state.al.us.T

o make the list, offenders must owe substantial child support obligations and also have a demonstrated, long-term lack of cooperation with the Child Support Program.

The newspaper listing of the "lost dogs" includes the photograph and name of the offender, as well as the county they are from, the amount of money they owe, and the number of children they have. There is a toll-free number listed at the bottom of the ad for people to call if they see or know the whereabouts of any of the offenders.

On the Alabama Department of Human Resources’ website, there’s a photo of the offender which opens a link to an enlarged picture, complete with the offender’s name, amount owed, height, weight, eye color, hair color, race, last known address, and last known occupation.

But some residents aren’t keen on making the offenders a top state priority due to the expense involved in the program and the belief that private matters should remain private. Sandra Hinton believes the issue should be kept in the family.

"The state should not do this," said Hinton. "I feel like they should not be published because child support is a private matter between the mother and father. Why cause more stress and grief within the family just for it to be publicized."

Dana McCampbell thinks that couples should consider the seriousness of relationships before they wed, to avoid divorce in the first place, thus avoiding the whole situation.

"I don’t think the state should do this," said McCampbell. "That’s a little harsh. I would encourage men and women to weigh a little heavier the huge responsibility of becoming a husband, wife, and parent before they put themselves in that situation."

Carter Sanders thinks it is a good idea that the state is enacting this law.

"Yes, the state should do this," said Sanders. "It should be done because it is the children who are being deprived."

Paul Wingard does not believe the publication of the "lost dogs" in newspapers will help anything.

"If it would solve the situation, I’d say yes, but since it doesn’t then I say no," said Wingard. "That’s not going to get the money and they need to come up with another idea."

Siegelman has also unveiled a second ad, "Hide and Seek," which will publicize the 10 most wanted "deadbeat" parents from each of Alabama’s 67 counties.

These ads will begin running later this year in county newspapers across the state.

The Child Support Payment Center is located in Montgomery, and payments may only be accepted through the mail at the following address: Alabama Child Support Payment Center, P.O. Box 244015, Montgomery, AL. 36124-4015. Personal checks, money orders, or cashier checks should be made payable to the State of Alabama, Child Support.