HOUSTON -- Thirteen women are accused of participating in a child support fraud ring in Fort Bend County, officials told KPRC Local 2.

Investigators said the women defrauded the Office of the Attorney Generals' Child Support Division, resulting in a loss of more than $39,000.

Officials said the key suspect, Tonya Jackson of Rosenberg, issued payment for court-ordered child support to the attorney general's office that were forged with someone else's signature on an account from which she was not authorized to issue checks.

Investigators said the checks appeared to be from a non-custodial parent and the attorney general's office would then issue payments to the custodial parent, Tonya Jackson.

Investigators said Jackson told other custodial parents that she worked for the attorney general's office and offered to assist them in receiving child support payments. Officials said that once the parent received payment, Jackson received half.

Officials said 13 women were issued payments while the non-custodial parents under court order to pay child support were not aware of the payments.

Investigators said warrants have been issued for all women engaging in organized criminal activity.

The women allegedly involved included:

• Tonya Lassela Jackson, 32
• Bonnie Gonzales, 50
• Sonya Hawkins, 31
• Tonya Hawkins, 31
• Kasey Nichole Patterson, 27
• Michelle Lung, 32
• Tranell Girtman, 34
• Equilla Gardner, 23
• Debra Hodge, 41
• Roslynn Fridia, 28
• Rosylin McGrew Batiste, 34
• Colandra Rena Jones, 33