"Battle Over 21, Debt to State Finally Ends with Application of Some Common Cents"

The Columbus Dispatch
January 26, 2003
By Randy Ludlow

Gayle Channell never imagined cashing a child-support check could lead to so much trouble, including a threat of hundreds of dollars in court costs.

The postal worker's plight began May 4, 2001, when a state-issued child-support check for $178.51 arrived at her home.

Channell was surprised but believed that the county had intercepted her daughter’s father’s income-tax refund. He was behind in payments, and Channell was excited that she and her daughter were finally getting something.

Weeks later, though, the Licking County Child Support Agency contacted Channell and informed her that the money had been sent in error and would have to be repaid.

Channell told child-support officials to obtain the money from the father, since he owes it. She thought he had arranged to repay the money. However, court papers arrived demanding money. The father had paid $60 but the remaining balance was due. Channell sent a check with the payment, but neglected to include 21 cents.

Channel was sent a deadline to repay the 21 cents—with interest. Channell and her mother went to the county offices to plead their case and pay the 21 cents. The court costs were waived once the women presented their story.