An alleged deadbeat dad who was on the run and owed more than $100,000 in child support was arrested last week as he exited a cruise ship in Miami, authorities said.
Dominic Weaver, a Kentucky resident, had been on the lam for more than 10 years when his holiday vacation ended after being taken custody and brought back to Louisville, according to WDRB-TV. Detectives from the local child support division flew to Miami and eventually transferred Weaver back to the Bluegrass State.
“I don’t know when he left, but he fled the jurisdiction, and from the date of his sentence until today, he’s not paid one cent of child support,” said Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell. Weaver, 47, owes between $114,000 and $120,000 across four separate cases with the child support division.
O'Connell detailed the continued efforts to bring perpetrators of such evasion to justice, indicating, “Two more of those are ready for indictment again of more felonies.” He added his plans to request the revocation of Weaver’s original sentence, seeking to have him sentenced to four years in prison. It’s clear this case reflects wider struggles some jurisdictions face with enforcing child support obligations.
Authorities across the U.S. have heightened efforts to arrest individuals like Weaver who abandon responsibilities, particularly when large sums are owed. The strategy of flying detectives out to detain such individuals demonstrates the extent to which legal structures are willing to go to capture people with unresolved financial obligations.
This case also raises questions about familial responsibilities and societal norms surrounding child support. Many like Weaver have taken drastic measures to avoid facing the consequences of their actions. O’Connell emphasized the importance of addressing these issues to prevent neglect from becoming normalized.
Overall, the circumstances of Weaver's apprehension serve as a reminder of the broader fight against child support evasion and the significance of maintaining strict legal frameworks for family obligations. Law enforcement officials are determined to hold accountable those who seek to escape their responsibilities, sending strong messages of deterrence to others.
