Dominic A. Weaver, 47, of Kentucky, who had been dodging child support for more than ten years, was arrested upon arrival in a cruise ship at the Port of Miami on December 21, 2024. Weaver had accumulated over $114,000 in unpaid child support that landed him on a 2021 list of parents owing the most in back child support.
“This arrest represents years of dedicated effort to ensure that children and families are not neglected by those legally obligated to support them,” said Jefferson County Attorney Mike O’Connell.
We had been sentenced to five years probation back in 2019 for flagrant non-support, a class D felony in Kentucky, but Weaver had simply left jurisdiction in defiance of the court, having not paid one dime – in spite of multiple orders from Jefferson County Court – as officials were overseeing four child support cases involving Weaver.
“This is one of the most egregious child support cases I’ve encountered in my career,” O’Connell said, adding he would seek the revocation of Weaver’s probation and a four-year prison sentence.
Public sentiment strongly favors enforcement of child support obligations. Weaver’s arrest serves as a wake-up call to the moral and legal responsibility of parents toward their children.
“This case highlights the importance of accountability,” said O’Connell. “It’s not just about the money, but about making sure the children are taken care of and given the opportunities they need.
Weaver’s long evasion underlines the difficulties involved in the pursuit of a person who runs away from jurisdictions to avoid legal processes. On the other hand, his arrest sends a clear and unmistakable message: responsibility cannot be evaded, whatever the time that has elapsed.
“This case is a textbook example of law enforcement being relentless in the pursuit and prosecution of child support evaders,” said a spokesman for the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office. “It’s a strong reminder that no matter how long it takes, justice will be served.” Weaver is scheduled to be sentenced on January 6, 2025, at which time the prosecutor will request a prison sentence. The case has re-opened discussions regarding child support law and the stringent enforcement that it requires for the protection of helpless children and families.
