Dad of 23 Gets Prison for Non-Support

A western Michigan man accused of fathering 23 children with 14 women and has been sent to prison for at least two years for failing to pay tens of thousands of dollars in child support.

“Animals procreate. Human beings are supposed to nurture their children,” Kent County Circuit Judge Dennis Leiber said Thursday.

Howard Veal, 44, of Muskegon owes more than $533,000 in child support, according to the state attorney general’s office. He pleaded guilty in July to owing more than $60,000 to a Grand Rapids woman.

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Veal questioned whether he actually has 23 children and said he pays what he can.

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Sherri Black, the mother of two of Veal’s children, said she was pleased with the sentence but would prefer to get money. She has received only $87.75 over seven years.

“Now my taxes will go to support him in prison,” Black said.