Ludington man sentenced to pay over $22,000 in child support.

David Bothwell with his attorney, Douglas Stevenson.

By Allison Scarbrough. Contributing Editor.

LUDINGTON — A 38-year-old Ludington man who owes $22,559 in back child support was sentenced Tuesday, Feb. 16, in 51st Circuit Court to one year discretionary jail and ordered to pay $1,200 per month to the Mason County Friend of the Court Office.

Daniel Lee Bothwell pleaded guilty to a felony of failure to pay child support last August.

Bothwell testified in August that he was unable to pay child support because he was incarcerated and in rehab. He did not pay support from Dec. 1, 2011 through Dec. 31, 2014, according to his court records.

Mason County Assistant Prosecutor Glen Jackson III did not recommend incarceration so Bothwell will “be in a position to be able to make money.”

“I think it’s finally gotten through to him that he has a child support payment to make,” said Bothwell’s attorney, Douglas Stevenson.

Bothwell told Judge Susan Sniegowski that he intends to pay off his debt, “and this will all be behind me.” The child support payments will be taken directly out of his paycheck.

“There is no excuse for not paying your child support,” Sniegowski said.