ELYRIA, Ohio (WJW-TV – May 15, 2015) — A Lorain County judge has ordered a father not to have any more children until he can pay the child support for the kids he already has.
Asim Taylor, 35, was sentenced to five years probation Wednesday afternoon for not paying child support to his four children.
Last year, Taylor pleaded guilty for failing to pay for his kids.
“I take care of my children. I just don’t pay through child support,” Taylor said, as he was leaving the Lorain County Justice Center.
“The defendant is ordered to make all reasonable efforts to avoid impregnating a woman during the community-controlled period or until such time the defendant can prove to this court that he is able to provide for his children that he already has,” said Judge James Walther of Lorain County.
Doug Merrill, Taylor’s attorney, argued with the judge that ordering Taylor not to have any more children is taking away his civil rights and forcing Taylor to avoid having sex.
“The only way he can insure not impregnating a woman is to not have sex and I do not believe the court has the ability to do that based on the case law. Based on his fundamental rights, I don’t believe the court has the ability to do that,” said Merrill.
Some people who heard about Judge Walther’s controversial decision say it’s unfair.
“I think it’s kinda absurd because a man is to have a child they should provide him with protection for that whole time, if they don’t want him to have a kid,” said Danny Kocak, of Elyria.
According to court documents, Asim Taylor owes more than $96,000 in child support for his four children. Taylor’s attorney says his client plans on appealing the judge’s decision.
Judge Walther says he would consider lifting the “no more children ban” if Taylor shows he’s paid the child support he currently owes.
