Phil Alden Rajotte, one of Los Angeles County’s Most Wanted Delinquent Parents, was recently arrested and sentenced to jail. Rajotte owed almost $40,000 in child support to his son.

On January 24, 2006, Rajotte was placed on probation for 36 months for failing to pay court-ordered child support for his son, who was 13 at the time. The terms of probation required him to make timely monthly payments of support, and he was also ordered to make an additional payment each month toward the accumulated arrears.

Rajotte failed to comply with the terms of probation. At two separate hearings, he admitted violation of the terms of probation. Despite promises to the court, each time he failed to follow the court’s orders. On September 22, 2009, the court sentenced him to serve 120 days in jail. He was ordered to surrender himself on September 29 to begin his sentence, but he failed to surrender as ordered. As a consequence, a warrant was issued for his arrest with bail set at $100,000.

At approximately 8:00 p.m. on March 12, Rajotte was arrested by Los Angeles Sheriff’s deputies from the Pico Rivera station. The arrest took place near the intersection of Norwalk Boulevard and Pleasant Way in the City of Whittier. Rajotte was riding a bicycle at the time.

Subsequently, on March 18 Rajotte appeared in custody at the downtown Central Arraignment Courts facility. In response to questioning by Commissioner John W. Greene, Rajotte admitted that he was working, although he declined to provide information about his employment. Greene ordered him to remain in Sheriff’s custody to serve the balance of the 120 day sentence previously imposed.

Steven J. Golightly, Director of the Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department said, This case presents a clear example of a parent who will go to great lengths to avoid paying support. This defendant was given multiple opportunities to start over and begin living up to his obligations as a parent. Each time, he failed to do so. Ironically, after serving his time in county jail, he will still owe all the child support he has failed to pay until now, plus interest.

The Los Angeles County Child Support Services Department maintains the Most Wanted Delinquent Parent List. It was developed as a result of an appropriation by the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors on the initiative of Supervisor Don Knabe.