The Associated Press

COLUMBUS - Authorities in 34 counties arrested at least 106 accused deadbeat parents in Ohio's sixth coordinated enforcement of child support orders, the state said Thursday.

The number of persons arrested still is being tallied. The maximum sentence in a criminal non-support case is 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine.

"So far, 18 counties have reported their results to us," said Jon Allen, a spokesman for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. "We have yet to hear from Cuyahoga and Lucas counties, so I would expect the count to climb further."

The five previous roundups from 1997 to 2001 resulted in more than 950 arrests. The roundups are conducted in a cooperative effort among the department, county child support enforcement agencies and the Buckeye State Sheriffs Association.

Counties participating in Thursday's roundup were Ashland, Butler, Clark, Clermont, Coshocton, Cuyahoga, Defiance, Erie, Fairfield, Franklin, Fulton, Geauga, Greene, Hardin, Henry, Huron, Lake, Licking, Lucas, Madison, Mahoning, Mercer, Miami, Montgomery, Morrow, Muskingum, Ottawa, Pickaway, Richland, Ross, Summit, Tuscarawas, Union and Wood.

Ohio collected more than $1.9 billion in child support in fiscal year 2002. There are 985,000 child support cases in the state.