Prison Time Looms for Deadbeat Dad

By Daniel Hawn

Published on March 26, 2008

Robert Abraham, 65, pleaded guilty last week to failing to pay $651,000 in child support for his three children. The case marks the first time anyone in Osceola or Orange County has been charged with a felony for neglecting to make child support payments.

Abraham was ordered to begin paying child support 15 years ago after he and his then-wife, Sandy Pinkham, divorced. Abraham left Pinkham two years earlier, forcing her to raise three children on her own.

Last year, Pinkham sought Abraham's arrest as a way of forcing him to pay the child support he owed. Police arrested Abraham on Nov. 7 at a car auction in Orange County.

According to court documents, Abraham has been convicted of willful contempt of court seven times in connection with failing to make child support payments.

Though given the opportunity to settle his child support debt for $200,000, Abraham refused.

During Abraham's hearing last week, his 20-year-old son took to the stand to testify about his father. He told the court that, during forced visits to his father's house, he was abused and neglected by Abraham and his new wife.

Abraham's sentencing is scheduled for May 20.

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