#Deadbeat program considered 'success'

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - In January 2016, Gov. Doug Ducey introduced the #Deadbeat program. It is an initiative that publicly shames parents who owe child support by their names, photos, and the amount of child support they owe on Twitter.

The Twitter account, run by the Arizona Department of Economic Security, has already shamed 40 people in the first four months. So far, six have been found, but over 300 tips have been called in.

DES plans to highlight more than 400 deadbeat parents via social media. They are parents who owe more than $5,000 in child support, they have not paid in at least six months, and have a warrant out for their arrest.

Tucson News Now reached out to the Governor's office for a comment on the progress of the program. Daniel Ruiz II, Director of Media Affairs at Arizona Governor's Office gave the following statement:

"The #deadbeat initiative is a success. We've located child support evaders, and the initiative is serving as a deterrent - encouraging evaders to pay up to avoid being featured on social media. Parents have an obligation to their children and there should be zero tolerance for those who skirt their financial responsibilities."

Out of the 40 parents featured so far, only four are from Pima County.

Report a parent here: https://des.az.gov/services/child-and-family/child-support/wanted-child-support-evaders-arrest-warrant-issued

Check out the DES twitter page: https://twitter.com/arizonades