The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office and the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Clerk, has launched a new Child Support Compliance Program aimed at strengthening enforcement and improving outcomes for children and families who rely on court-ordered support.
Under this initiative, when a Vanderburgh County judge issues a writ of attachment for noncompliance with a child support order, the Sheriff’s Office will attempt to first contact the individual to encourage voluntary compliance. If compliance is not achieved within 45 days, the individual’s name and warrant information will be made publicly available on the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office website.
This collaborative program was made possible through a crucial process improvement provided by the Vanderburgh County Circuit Court Clerk’s Office. The enhancement allows law enforcement officers from both the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office and the Evansville Police Department to clearly distinguish child support writs from other types of warrants in their databases.
“The goal of this program is not just enforcement, it’s results,” said Sheriff Noah Robinson. “We want to create every opportunity for noncompliant parents to meet their obligations, but we also want folks to know that arrest will be the inevitable consequence for ignoring a court order. Children suffer when parents fail to pay court-ordered support, and this program gives us a tool to hold people accountable in a fair and transparent way.”
According to the Indiana Department of Child Services, at this time the Vanderburgh County Prosecutor’s Office actively enforces nearly 8,000 open child support cases. In 2024, 382 writs of attachment were issued for noncompliance with child support orders. 152 Child Support Writs are currently active in Vanderburgh County.
“This partnership ensures we’re doing everything we can to prioritize the needs of children in our community,” said Prosecutor Diana Moers. “We understand that each case is different, but when someone ignores a court order, there must be consequences. This program allows us to approach enforcement in a more strategic and effective manner and to hold those accountable who are not meeting their child support obligations. Because our offices are working together, there will be no gap or inefficiency in information and enforcement will be seamless.”
The Sheriff’s Office believes that as many as 50% of individuals with active child support writs would choose to avoid arrest if given the proper incentive to come into compliance. The 45-day window and the new public-facing warrant listing aim to create that incentive. Sheriff Robinson emphasized that the program aligns with broader goals of public safety, family stability, and accountability.
“When a parent fails to pay support, the child is the one who suffers. This program is a practical step toward ensuring that every child in Vanderburgh County receives the financial support they deserve,” Sheriff Robinson said.
The Child Support Compliance Program is now active, with Child Support Writs older than 45 days already displayed online at www.vanderburghsheriff.org/warrant-search/#writ. Individuals seeking to resolve a Child Support writ may contact the Prosecutor’s Office Child Support Division by calling the mainline (812) 435-5150 and request to speak with Child Support Director Matt Keppler. In addition, individuals with a Child Support Writ may visit the Prosecutor’s Office in person in the Civic Center at 1 NW MLK Jr. Blvd Suite 108.
The Sheriff’s Office and Evansville Police Department will conduct a Child Support Writ round-up the weekend of June 15, 2025.
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