ATLANTA -- The mother of Terrell Owens' child says the NFL star has refused to pay the full $5,000 per month in child support that he owes.
Melanie Paige Smith filed papers June 20 in an Atlanta court seeking to hold the wide receiver in contempt.
Owens "has failed and refused to pay the full amount of child support for June 2011," Atlanta attorney Randall Kessler wrote in court records. Owens' financial advisers have informed Smith that he has decided to no longer pay the full amount, Kessler added.
Kessler said Wednesday that Smith doesn't have any ill will toward Owens.
"She simply asks that he follow the order to which he agreed," Kessler said. "Rather than discussing his situation with her or her lawyers first, he simply cut his child support."
Kessler said he's looking forward to hearing from Owens or his representatives and quickly working out an agreement.
Owens' agent, Drew Rosenhaus, didn't immediately return messages Wednesday seeking comment.
Owens, a free agent, is recovering from knee surgery and can't sign with a team until the NFL lockout is resolved.
Amith's attorneys say Owens is a resident of Fulton County, which encompasses Atlanta and several suburbs. The case was filed in Fulton County Superior Court.
Smith says she has had to pay attorney fees and costs to enforce the court's May 2007 child-support order, and she's asking for a judge to order Owens to pay those as well.
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press
