Mother Wins Small Victory Against Viejas Tribal Member for Child Support

Earlier this month we wrote about a mother who is trying to get her child support court orders enforced "CA Tribes NOT Enforcing..."    There has been a change, with a bit of a victory for Christina Brown.

Christina Brown, who is fighting to collect child support from her children's father, a member of the wealthy Viejas tribe, won a small victory in court recently.

Brown's soon-to-be ex-husband was ordered by a judge to pay her more than $4,000 in late child support payments, according to a Riverside County court transcript. He also was ordered to serve 20 days in jail for failure to comply with several court orders to pay child support and other obligations.

Her story illustrates a larger problem, Brown and others say.

The state does not have the authority to garnishee money from tribal members who receive payments from casino revenue because of the tribes' status as sovereign nations. Courts can sentence tribal members to jail for failing to pay, but they can't touch the money they receive from their casinos.

"I know I am doing the right thing for my kids," Brown said. "I'm just going to keep on trucking."

Attempts to reach Brown's husband through his attorney were unsuccessful.

The stress of the divorce for the 38-year-old mother of five children has taken its toll. Brown wears a bandanna to cover her balding head, which she said her doctors attribute to her constant worrying about her troubles.

When she filed for divorce in 2007, she lost the lavish lifestyle she led with her family, which included a large home, cars and family vacations in the family's 34-foot motor home.

OP:  While divorce is sadly a too common occurrance, I'm not concerned with the spouse as I am with the children.   They should be taken care of by their fathers, too and any father should be paying for their children.   In this case, the father has the ability to pay.    Let's see how he likes jail.


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