ATLANTA (AP) — The mother of Terrell Owens’ child says the NFL star has refused to pay the full $5,000 a month in child support he owes.
Melanie Paige Smith filed court papers June 20 in an Atlanta court seeking to hold the player in contempt.
Owens “has failed and refused to pay the full amount of child support for June 2011,” Atlanta attorney Randall Kessler wrote in court records. Owens’ financial advisers have informed Smith that he’s decided to no longer pay the full amount, Kessler added.
Kessler said Wednesday that Smith doesn’t have any ill will toward Owens.
“She simply asks that he follow the order to which he agreed,” he said. “Rather than discussing his situation with her or her lawyers first, he simply cut his child support.”
Owens’ agent, Drew Rosenhaus, did not immediately return messages Wednesday seeking comment.
Owens, a free agent, is recovering from knee surgery and can’t sign with a team until the NFL lockout is resolved.
The athlete is a resident of Fulton County, which encompasses most of Atlanta and several suburbs, Smith’s attorneys say. The case was filed in Fulton County Superior Court.
Smith says she’s had to pay attorney fees and costs to enforce the court’s May 2007 child support order, and she’s asking for a judge to order Owens to pay those, as well.
Kessler said he’s looking forward to hearing from Owens or his representatives and working out an agreement quickly.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press
