Couples in Ohio that have ended their relationship with each other but still share a child together often have to deliberate over who will get custody. Once custody is determined, child support payments are assigned and those payments will be made by the noncustodial parent until the child is of age. But what happens when the custodial parent goes missing?

A recent case in another state has shown just what could happen, even if the noncustodial parent is a suspect in disappearance.

A 33-year-old mother of two disappeared on Nov. 17, 2011. She has not been seen or heard from since. On that same day, she and her husband appeared on an episode of "The People's Court" in which they argued over who should pay for a missing $5,000 engagement ring.

Since her disappearance, the father of her children -- twins -- has been paying $800 a month in child support. The funds have been resting in an account, untouched. The children have been in the custody of their father since their mother disappeared and a judge recently ruled that he no longer has to pay child support, considering the fact that they are currently living with him. The judge reasoned that he would need the funds to care for his children.

That decision was made in a hearing where the father did not appear. His attorney represented him instead while several people who know the missing 33-year-old woman waited outside the courthouse. Some of them were holding signs. He is currently the only suspect in the case.

Source: My Fox Orlando, "Child support payments waived for dad in missing mom case," Shannon Butler, Jan. 19, 2012