In regards toHB 366
Cody Seiber
Statement on behalf of myself and other fathers suffering in Ohio
Chairman Ginter, Ranking Member Boyd and Members of the House Committee for Community and Family Advancement,
My name is Cody Morgan Seiber. I am the father of three children. This is my story and I hope this will open your eyes.I am offering my story as proponent testimony for HB 366
The story all started in 2010 when my first son was born. I was 17-18 at the time. The mother and I went our separate ways like many young couples now a days. I began going to college in 2011 for Emergency medical services/Fire science. I became an emergency medical technician during my journey. I wasn’t making a lot of money working about 35 hours per week at 10.28$ per hour. I took out student loans to pay for a little bit better housing and was able to buy reliable transportation for myself and my 2nd child’s mother. As well as I had credit cards to buy Christmas presents and expenses going back and forth to work and school. My 2nd child was born out of failed contraception. Unexpected and unintended but that was absolutely fine. My 2nd sons mother and I went separate ways. At the same time she filed a child support order. At the same time I was terminated from my job at smith ambulance for being late a total of 3 times. I had shared parenting of my oldest and found a new job at another ambulance company.
Before starting my new job I had at the new ambulance company I had to find a job quite fast. I was hired at Papa John’s and quickly rose to management. Where my paycheck would be approximately 500$ every two weeks for working usually over 80 hours. Mostly during the night shift and I was unable to have every other weekend off so I postponed filing for visitation. I finally felt I was catching a break when I got my new job. I went from girlfriend to girlfriend just to try maintaining a place to live. At my new job I made 8.57$ an hour where I worked anywhere from 80-120 hours per week. I worked days at a time. Just to bring home about 300$ a week. That’s when I had to give my parents temporary custody. I worked too much to even take care of him. His mother became addicted to heroine so the action had to be immediately. Working endless hours and knowing I may or may not get out of the hole I’m digging. At this point my credit is completely shot and I couldn’t survive on my own. My dreams of owning a reliable car and buying a house have been shot, at least I thought. Then came around another child support order from my parents.
The court ordered my child support payments to 485$ for my second son. Which was calculated at 8.57$ per hour, but my employer said “I made 15$ an hour.” I made 31,000$ at 8.57$ an hour to be able to barely survive. When they raised the child support it was literally back to the drawing board. I never stopped working. Then came the name calling of a simple term, deadbeat. Then shortly to follow a bad father and that I don’t care about my children. Meanwhile my step-mother who know has temporary custody of my oldest son told me I should be paying more. I’ve spent nights crying and in depression. Frustration and anger. I found myself in such a deep hole that I literally will never come out of. One of the girlfriends who I had became pregnant and informed me after about 3 weeks of us breaking up. I informed her that I don’t see my two children because I work too much as well as I am in no position for another child. I told her I’d like to either put the baby for adoption or have an abortion. I was very clear with her. She simply informed me that she will be taking my money.
I decided to make a change with my life. I found a job that paid 11.00$ per hour but the job was in Toledo, OH. I met my girlfriend who lived in Roseville, MI. When I got the job I moved to Michigan with her and began continuing my career. I eventually had to quit the job because I would’ve brought home about 300$ after child support. Which, wouldn’t even have covered my current orders. Then like my 3rd child mother said she is getting my money. I take a dna test and comes back 99.99%. Immediately I’m charged with another 335$. My support orders treat my children differently depending on which person went to the courts first. HB 366 treats all children in similar fashion. Under HB 366 I would have received recognition of my second child who I was fighting for custody when my first order was modified, but under the current law I was not custodial parent, I did not yet have an order so I did not receive any recognition I had a responsibility for my child. HB 366 would do this.
I spent about 2-3 months getting different jobs to even pay for myself while still being charged about 1,200$ in child support a month. I finally found the job I have now. I make 18$ an hour and I still cannot survive. I make about 550$ for 80 hours worth of work. Which doesn’t even cover my arrears. So continuously I’m getting further and further behind. My credit is negative. I can only afford a $500 car. I can barely afford to live. I couldn’t afford to live on my own. I couldn’t afford to take time off to see my children. I have even been so down so low that I wanted to sign over my rights for all my kids. I have had zero help from anyone.
The child support system needs an overhaul.HB 366is just the starting on the tip of the iceberg.I’ve been there with those thoughts. I couldn’t afford insurance and still can’t so I had to figure everything out on my own. I’ve became completely numb. I’ve came to the conclusion the laws set in place have determined I do not have a right to live. I’ve been forced out ofmy children’s lives because I cannot afford to keep a place on my own to enjoy parenting time or take them out to do a things a father like me wants to do with his children.
I know I should support them. I’m not allowed to support myself without working 60-70 hours a week. The only way I was able to afford a car was traveling with my company and sleeping in the truck to pay for a car to get back and forth to work. I see no relief coming. I saw SB 262 and was praying for a miracle but that miracle never came.I have renewed hope with HB 366.My children and surrounding families see me as a paycheck, nothing more. My children barely even know me. One I’ve never even held. Any relief would be a blessing. I honestly barely see any glimpse of that break coming.
HB 366 with its self-support reserve for the non-custodial parent will help me to live myself while supporting my children. HB 366’s credit for standard parenting time will put 10% back in my pocket to take my children to a ball game or even a hamburger. HB 366 will help fathers like me be the fathers we want to be. I was raised to be a hard-working person and take care of my family. The current laws make me feel like I am failing my children no matter how hard I work.
At this moment in time I don’t have any money to pay rent. Im behind on all my bills. I can’t afford to pay 25$ on my credit cards. I can’t see my children. I can’t afford the gas. As well as the mother I pay 485$ told me I can’t afford the essentials for him so why should she let me see him? This is just something that I hope may sway your decision on this bill and any future bills.
I will tell you as a voice for the fathers paying child support. We are tired and we aren’t allowed to stand up. It’s only a matter of time before we all break. I shouldn’t have to choose go work 130 hours a week or see my kids and losing my home. Tears fall of my face as I wrote this. People in my shoes are giving up. No one to help us. Please, any relief is a true blessing and miracle.
I feel completely broken. I’m 24 years old and I feel I have no future for myself. I have no room for improving my life because no matter what I do or how hard I work I will never get ahead. I will be held back at every turn. I have no drive. The path the law has set has deemed my life worthless and to work for nothing. To do better for myself to be punished. No one besides those of us who are punished know an ounce of the pain and suffering. If I wasn’t with my girlfriend I’d be homeless.
I go to work every day. I pay the full amount I am ordered on all of my cases. I just want to survive and live so I can be the father I want to be. Please vote to support HB 366 for all parents in my situation.
Thank you for your time and attention,
Cody Seibert, Father