Audit - $1 billion in child support uncollected

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri failed to collect about $1 billion in child support payments during a five-year period and should be more aggressive about getting money from noncustodial parents, according to a state audit released Tuesday.

State Auditor Claire McCaskill's office said that between 1996 and 2001 the state Division of Child Support Enforcement collected about 20 percent of child support payments due to 538,000 custodial parents in Missouri.

While the Missouri collection rate is similar to national figures, auditors found several weaknesses affecting the state's ability to boost collections.

McCaskill called the findings "depressing."

The audit said there currently is $2 billion in child support payments owed and that amount will likely increase unless officials take more aggressive action.