Etowah County District Attorney Jimmie Harp has a holiday message to deadbeat parents – you can either bring your child support payments up to date OR you can expect a visit from someone bringing you a shiny new pair of bracelets – otherwise known as handcuffs.

Harp stated that he has received a large number of phone calls to his office from frustrated parents seeking help in getting court-ordered support from their non-custodial partners – so, he’s giving deadbeat dads – and moms – an opportunity to pay up before they get locked up.

He said if it comes to it, his office will start conducting roundups – adding, that the last time he looked, there were plenty of people hiring, and saying “I can’t get a job” (quote) “will no longer fly with me; if I see that children are going to be doing without at Christmas, the one who has failed to pay, is going to be spending time with me.” (end-quote).