The federal government is stepping up its efforts to track down parents who refuse to pay child support.

While many have fallen on hard times, others seem determined to avoid paying, even if it harms their own children, officials said.

The government is now using a program called "Project Save Our Children."

If parents owe a few hundred or thousand dollars in child support, it's a civil warrant and police can't chase them across state lines.

But if they owe more than $5,000 and cross state lines, it becomes a felony and the feds get involved.

Robert Sand is at the top of the most wanted deadbeat list. He owes more than $1 million in child support and is thought to be in Thailand.

A notable fugitive arrested under the program is former Oakland A's first baseman Troy Lee Neel. He bought an island in the South Pacific, but refused to pay child support, even though his child had medical needs.  He was arrested and pleaded guilty. He's now paying $778,000 in child support.