Sheriff's Office Arrests 51 Alleged Deadbeat Dads

Prince George's County Sheriff's officers arrested 51 men Sunday on charges of failing to pay child support in what is being described as the most successful "Father's Day Warrant Sweep" since 2009.

The annual sweep was carried out in cooperation with the Child Support Enforcement Division and in partnership with Calvert and Charles county sheriff's offices and Maryland State Police. In all, officers closed 100 child supports related warrants and orders.

Officials said they had hoped to close as many as 286 warrants and locate suspects at 136 addresses. The men arrested owed more than $343,000 in child support.

“The collection of child support dollars is important to the well-being of families and children,” said Lt. Col. Regina Taylor, of the county's Sheriff's Office. “This was a very successful operation.”

The initiative first began three years ago, although the enforcement division has existed since 1983. 

“This is the highest total of arrests we’ve seen since we began the sweep in 2009,” said Lt. Joyce Bowers, of the sheriff's office.