Man fakes his own death while owing ‘large amount of child support,’ Indiana cops say

A “dead” man who authorities said owed child support money was discovered to be alive, Indiana authorities say.

An investigation began in April when the Washington County Child Support administrator said she had received emails about the death of Jeffrey Lynn Bell Jr., according to Indiana State Police.

Bell, according to the administrator, owed “a large amount of child support” that would not be paid because of his death, state police said.

A state police detective, however, learned Bell may still be alive and living with his girlfriend.

When the detective went to Bell’s home, Bell initially gave a different name until he provided his true identity, authorities said. As a result, he was charged with false informing and ordered to appear in court.

Bell, 51, appeared in court virtually, telling a judge he was out of state and could not attend his court hearing in person, according to state police. But officials came to the realization he was in the same home where the detective made contact with him.

While Bell remained in the virtual meeting, deputies responded to his home and took him into custody, state police said.

He is now charged with three counts of failing to appear and one count each of false informing and contempt of court, according to the investigators.

Bell, of Salem, remains in the Washington County jail as of Jan. 27, records show.

Salem is about a 35-mile drive northwest from Louisville.