Shaker Heights Men Indicted For Not Paying Child Support

Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Bill Mason announced that nine defendants were indicted for failing to make child support payments, including two men from Shaker Heights.

Wali Bell, 40, of Shaker Heights, owes more than $43,800 for his 11-year-old child, according to the prosecutor’s office. He made his most recent voluntary payment Nov. 4, 2008, and paid $125. One hearing was held in Domestic Relations Court in 2004.

Another Shaker Heights resident, 39-year-old Taurus Stephens Sr., owes more than $12,750 for his 7-year-old child, according to prosecutors. One hearing was held in Juvenile Court during 2010, but he has not made a payment.

The other defendants are from Cleveland. Combined, the nine men owe more than $266,000 in child support and have been charged with criminal non-support, which carries a maximum sentence of one year in prison. The Cuyahoga County Child Support Enforcement Agency and the prosecutor’s office investigated these cases.

The defendants' arraignment hearings are scheduled for Friday, July 20.