Man Arrested For Child Support Failure After A Cruise

LANSING (WWJ) – Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette reminded the public of a valuable lesson: either pay up or get locked up.

The most recent example is when he announced the arrest of Craig Northup, 42, of Aurora, Colorado, in allegations of a four year felony, a warrant for two counts of failure to pay child support and allegedly owing a total of $73,385.76 in child support to two Michigan children.

"One of my most important responsibilities is to protect Michigan's children," said Schuette. "If you flee the state in an effort to avoid your child support obligations, we will find you and set things right. For the Michigan Attorney General's office, out-of-sight is not out-of-mind."

U.S. Customs Agents in Miami, Florida arrested Northup on December 3 after Northup returned from a four-day cruise to the Bahamas. Arrangements are being made for Northrup to be arraigned on the Michigan charge as soon as possible.

Schuette's Child Support Division focuses on those parents who have an ability to pay, but refuse to do so. Schuette said his office focuses on non-custodial parents resuming regular child support payments, not jail time. Their goal is for Michigan kids to get paid what they are owed and subsequently receive consistent support into the future. Oftentimes the recognition of potential criminal prosecution is enough to encourage a non-custodial parent to act before setting foot in a courtroom. Under Schuette's leadership, the Attorney General's Child Support Division has collected nearly $30 million for 2,370 Michigan kids since January 2011.

Custodial parents currently not receiving support may file an online request for review by Schuette's office by clicking HERE.