Wells appointed director of Carroll County child support agency

Carroll County Prosecuting Attorney Steven D. Barnett announced that Marilyn A. Wells has been appointed director of the Carroll County Child Support Enforcement Agency, effective Jan. 1, 2026.

Wells replaces Shelley A. Martin, the longtime director, who retired earlier in December after more than 40 years of public service.

Barnett said Wells brings 30 years of experience in the day-to-day operations of the agency. She joined the office in 1995 as a case manager and has worked in administering and enforcing local and multistate child support orders, supervising genetic testing and preparing cases for court. Wells has also served as interim director since late November.

“I am confident Marilyn has the qualifications to maintain the agency’s reputation for providing prompt, accurate, professional and courteous service to all parents, employers, the courts and the legal community in ensuring diligent and effective enforcement of child support obligations,” Barnett said.

Wells said she is honored to accept the position.

“I’m so honored to lead such an outstanding agency,” Wells said. “We have a great staff of people, and I learned so much from former director Shelley Martin. I’m so grateful for her and her leadership.”

County child support enforcement agencies across Ohio, many of which are administered through prosecuting attorneys’ offices, provide services including establishing paternity, establishing child and medical support, collecting child support payments and enforcing court-ordered support obligations.

Barnett said the local office, currently located on East Main Street, will move with other county offices to the county annex facility on Moody Avenue sometime in 2026.