Kelcey Rock, a Republican candidate for the Kentucky House of Representatives, has been asked to appear in court for a show cause hearing on an allegation of owing child support.

Rock, who works in finance and agriculture, was served recently with a show cause motion from the Warren County Attorney’s Office directing him to appear before Warren County Family Court Judge David Lanphear on May 21 – the date of the primary election – to show cause for why he should not be held in contempt for failure to pay child support.

The motion, filed March 28, claims that Rock’s most recent payment was received on Jan. 24 and that he owed $832.55.

The county attorney’s office in the same filing has asked that the family court “punish that contempt with an order of incarceration.”

Rock is running in the Republican primary for the 19th District Kentucky House of Representatives seat now held by Rep. Michael Meredith, R-Oakland. 

There is no Democratic candidate.

Rock said that he has maintained 50/50 dual custody of the son he has in common with his ex-wife since their divorce in 2018 and has maintained a regular visitation schedule.

Rock told the Daily News that he contacts a local caseworker or a representative in the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Service’s Child Support Enforcement Department when he changes employment, so that the amount of child support he owes can be garnished from his wages at his newest employer.

“I call them usually way ahead of time to let them know that it’s going to come out of this account now,” Rock said. 

Rock said he is now up to date on payments, and that the amount in arrears comes to less than the amount he pays monthly.

“I’ve always been able to catch it up within months,” Rock said. “It should be current. It shouldn’t fall behind again.”

Rock filed a motion April 4 for a decrease in the amount of court-ordered child support payments, citing a “change in employment and decreased income” now that he is self-employed, having established a company that assists clients seeking business loans and other financial needs.

The county attorney’s motion and Rock’s filing are publicly available records, though family court proceedings are typically closed to the public.

After speaking with the Daily News, Rock emailed a statement in which he said he has consistently paid his share in child support to his former spouse and has been an active participant in his son’s life since a “significantly tumultuous divorce proceeding.”

“The welfare of my children is my utmost priority … . Unfortunately, since considering whether to run for office, the worry that those proceedings would be twisted and used as a political weapon has been on my mind. It appears that my fears have become a reality,” Rock said in the email. “I recently became aware of assertions such as that I have refused to meet my child support obligations. I would like to make clear that I have consistently paid child support over the past few years and will continue to do so because that is what my child deserves. If a discrepancy exists, I will pay the amount owed.”

“It is disappointing that politics on both the state and national level has sunk so low to include veiled threats and legal manipulation,” Rock’s statement said. “These unfortunate assertions are the reason why most Americans want nothing to do with the political process. I would like to make clear that I am not deterred by the political games. The 19th House District deserves firm conservative leadership that represents its values and I look forward to earning your vote.”