Darius McCrary, of Family Matters fame, could face up to four years in prison after being hit with four felony charges for alleged unpaid child support, according to Us Weekly. This development comes months after his arrest at the U.S.-Mexico border, Us Weekly can exclusively report. According to his rep, who spoke with Us, the actor has always been there for his son and has been present in his life whenever possible.
In court documents filed in Michigan in August 2024, McCrary requested the dismissal of a bench warrant for his arrest, which was issued on June 24, 2024, after he failed to appear in court. McCrary, 49, claimed that the child’s birth certificate was invalid because it lacked a signature and that the court lacked jurisdiction over him.
The actor’s lawyer stated that prosecutors had threatened to extradite McCrary from California if he did not attend a hearing on August 12, 2024.
McCrary’s lawyer asserted that McCrary maintains a “bonding, caring, fit and loving relationship with his three minor children, including the one involved in this case.”
McCrary stated that he had been caring for his mother, who was recovering from surgery at the time. “McCrary, a California resident and pillar of the community, was not present for the arraignment on the information on June 24, 2024, because he did not receive the mailed notice to a PO box, miles from his residence that is not checked daily as opposed to his residence, in time to appear, nor did he receive an email as usually done” by the court.
Darius McCrary Amy Sussman/Getty Images
According to the filing, McCrary had COVID in June 2024. “If he traveled from California to Michigan on June 24, 2024, he would have put the public around him, including other travelers on the airplane, individuals in the courtroom and others at risk of contracting COVID from exposure to him.”
In the filing, McCrary noted that the son in question was 17 and that they had a “strong” relationship.
The former child actor asserted he was not a flight risk, pointing out that he was a “life-long, high-profile actor.”
On Tuesday, October 14, the actor’s rep, Ann Barlow, informed Us that the situation was simply a misunderstanding. She reiterated that McCrary did not receive proper notification of the case.
According to her, the court sent the notice to his P.O. box instead of his Los Angeles home address, even though she claims the court had the latter on file. McCrary’s rep also asserts that the actor’s attorney did not receive proper notification.
She believes that McCrary’s “due process” rights were violated because he was given less than nine days’ notice before the hearing. However, she stated that McCrary contacted the court immediately after receiving the notice, which arrived one day after the hearing.
Barlow tells Us that McCrary is in the process of hiring a new lawyer to resolve the matter. Furthermore, Barlow asserts that the son in question resided with McCrary for the first seven years of his life. She stated that the entertainer consistently provides for his son and ensures his well-being.
Barlow alleged that McCrary has not been given credit for support paid directly to his son. She stated that McCrary has been “railroaded” by the Oakland County court.
Darius McCrary Unique Nicole/Getty Images
Since his arrest in late 2023 regarding child support, McCrary has been released on bond. According to prosecutors, the actor owed $95,523 in back support as of March 31, 2024.
In March 2024, Michigan prosecutors alleged that McCrary was not paying his child support while out on bond.
Prosecutors requested that McCrary’s bond be revoked. In July 2024, the prosecutors claimed that the actor did not attend a hearing on June 24, 2024, resulting in a bench warrant being issued.
As Us previously reported, McCrary was apprehended by United States Border Patrol on October 5 in San Diego, California.
The arrest took place near the United States-Mexico border. Online records identify McCrary as a “fugitive.”
McCrary remains incarcerated without bond. A hearing has been scheduled for Wednesday, October 15.
Barlow had previously issued a statement asserting that McCrary’s arrest was due to his absence from a court date in a legal dispute with the mother of his son, who is now 18, as reported by USA Today.
She stated that McCrary was en route to Mexico to construct homes for the underprivileged.
McCrary has faced previous allegations of unpaid child support. According to TMZ, McCrary was arrested in Michigan in 2015 for unpaid child support.
Just For You
