Most Wanted Deadbeat' Dad Sought for Owing Half a Million in Child Support

The hunt is on for the "most wanted deadbeat" dad who owes more than a half a million in child support.

Joseph Stroup, last known to be in Michigan, was ordered to pay $100 to his ex-wife in 1989. He argued that he was jobless and disabled and couldn't afford it, so the Van Buren County judge at the time reduced his payments to $14 a month.

Stroup later sold a successful Internet company for more than $2 million in 1996. After that, he didn't make another child support payment. A warrant for his arrest was issued in 1998.

Now, according to the U.S. Office of Inspector General, Stroup owes $559,900. It was this federal office that labeled the 60-year-old as its "most wanted deadbeat."

Image source: Office of Inspector General

The Kalamazoo Gazette reported that a motion filed Tuesday to have Stroup's indictment unsealed was granted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Grand Rapids.

The federal Office of Child Support Enforcement says that such offenders not only have to pay restitution for the amount of child support owed, but for someone like Stroup, he could face prison time and up to a $250,000 fine.