Savona man jailed on family court’s child support warrant
Montour Falls, NY-A Savona man was sent to jail on a Family Court warrant, tied to his failure to pay child support, on Wednesday (August 7, 2019).
According to Schuyler County Attorney Steven Getman, the respondent was previously found in willful violation of an existing court order because he failed to pay $475.00 in back child support for his two children, together with an additional $344.00 in judgments. According to court records, the respondent was scheduled to appear for sentencing on the violation July 16, but failed to do so, resulting in Family Court Judge Joseph Cassidy issuing a warrant for his arrest.
The respondent was later located in Steuben County, after the County Attorney’s office determined he was on probation in that county for an unrelated criminal offense, Getman noted. The respondent was taken into custody in Steuben County and transferred to Schuyler County for further proceedings on the warrant.
The respondent was arraigned before Montour Falls Village Justice Donald Spaccio, who continued bail at $475.00 cash/$1000.00 bond and remanded the respondent to jail pending the next Family Court date.
Getman represented the petitioner at the court appearance. The respondent was represented by Schuyler County Assistant Public Defender Valerie Gardner.
“Under New York State law, parents who willfully fail to obey court orders of child support can be sentenced to up to six months for contempt of court,” Getman explained. “Furthermore, support violators who do not appear in court as ordered, can be subject to a warrant of arrest.”
The Schuyler County Attorney’s office represents the Department of Social Services and Probation Department in prosecuting child support cases brought in the Family Court by those agencies. In addition, the county attorney provides support collection services for eligible custodial parents seeking assistance in establishing and enforcing orders for child support.
The respondent's name was not released to protect the privacy of his children and family.
