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CALL 6: Indianapolis father asked to repay $34K in child support money

Posted at 9:06 PM, May 19, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-19 21:18:21-04

INDIANAPOLIS – A father who paid child support for the past 17 years reached out to Call 6 Investigates after he was told he must repay the money.

Jeremy Martin from Indianapolis said despite paying thousands in child support for his 17-year-old son who lives in Texas, he was informed by state officials that he owed money.

Martin said the state of Texas took his tax refund check and said he owed $34,000. He said he believed the notice was a mistake as the State of Indiana informed him in March that he overpaid his child support and refunded him $1,200.

"I promise I do not owe. I promise,” said Martin. “Fatherhood is the coolest thing. It's the one time in life, any mistake you made in your life, I can make sure my kids don't make that mistake.”

On his own, Martin attempted to get the state of Texas to correct their mistake, but he had no luck until he spoke with Call 6 Investigators where the Child Support Bureau became of assistance.

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"I felt my back was against the wall. I didn't know what to do. I was at my wits end. I said if Rafael can't help me, I'll give up," said Martin. 

Two weeks ago, Martin received a check from the state of Texas for more than $7,000.

“It took a collective unit,” said Martin. “I refused to roll over - nope, nope and I got my money."

 

It is not clear why Martin’s tax refund check was taken, but state officials said it could happen if a person fails to report receiving child support or if a person fails to pay.