Lawyer: T.O. could face jail for failure to pay child support

By Christian Boone

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The mother of a 5-year-old girl fathered by Terrell Owens has petitioned a judge to incarcerate the flamboyant wide receiver for falling behind on child support payments.

Owens has not paid for August or September, said Melanie Paige Smith's attorney's, Randy Kessler. The payments are due the first of the month.

The 37-year-old Alabama native also did not pay the full $5,000 monthly stipend in June and July. Even though he was unsigned by any team, Owens, who remains a free agent, blamed the NFL lockout, saying he would only be able to pay half the monthly stipend, Kessler said.

Smith, the mother of Owens' daughter, filed a petition for contempt in Fulton County Superior Court in August but withdrew it after Owens paid her the full $5,000, along with attorney fees.

Kessler said Owens, a Fulton County resident, gave no reason for his refusal to pay.

"He texted her and said she could speak to the media, he didn't care," Kessler said. "So she has."

Owens, who played last season with the Cincinnati Bengals, was ordered in May 2007 to pay child support for the daughter he had with Smith. According to her suit, his estimated monthly income is $666,000.

Owens, who has expressed interest in pursuing an acting career, is the star of an eponymous VH-1 reality show.

A judge could decide to jail Owens or force him to pay all back payments, along with Kessler's fees.