Pasco County deputies said they have arrested a man wanted for failing to pay nearly $165,000 in child support.
David William Earley of New Port Richey was arrested today at a residence in Holiday, according to sheriff's spokesman Kevin Doll.
"We got a tip he was someplace in Holiday," Doll said. "We found him in someone's house. The person gave us permission to search, and we found him."
Doll didn't have information about the identity of the person or the person's relationship to Earley, who he said was booked on a warrant from Pinellas County.
"He has been living in Pasco," Doll said. "We've been trying to find him for the past couple of weeks. Someone tipped us off today, and the tip came back positive."
Earley, 42, was portrayed in a report by News Channel 8 reporter Mark Douglas as a family man who lives on an acre-sized lot with his wife, two young daughters, a dog and a horse. The girls attend school, his wife runs a hair salon and Earley, who lays tile for a living, says he's trying to find work.
He has also been a fugitive wanted for failing to pay child support to his children from a previous marriage.
After learning of the case, state Sen. Mike Fasano drafted a bill that would require fathers who fail to pay child support to do a week of work detail wearing a shirt, overalls or vest that reads "Deadbeat Dad."
The New Port Richey Republican said he's sick of hearing the heartbreaking stories of mothers and children who suffer because they don't get the support ordered by a court.
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