BOSTON -- An arrest warrant was issued for singer Bobby Brown Wednesday after he failed to show up for a scheduled appearance in Norfolk County Probate Court in Canton, Mass., according to court officials.

Video

Pam Cross Reports On Singer

NewsCenter 5's Pam Cross reported that Brown's lawyer said Brown did not show for his court appearance because he is hospitalized in Atlanta, but court officials have not been able to confirm if that's the case.

"He's no different than any other person who appears before me. He has an obligation to search for employment and get employment, and he needs to do it and fulfill his obligations," Probate Court Judge Paula Carey said.

On May 4, a judge called Brown into a Dedham, Mass., courtroom to question the R&B singer about why he failed to create an educational trust fund for the two children he has with an ex-girlfriend. The entertainer is married to singer Whitney Houston.

Brown, who grew up in Boston, owes money to Kim Ward, the mother of his two oldest children.

Last year, he was ordered to jail for a day for failure to pay child support. Until early May, Brown was three months behind in those payments. The latest problem was that Brown failed to pay $176,000 into a college fund for the boy and girl, who are teens.

"The payments were supposed to be made in October and December of last year. Those payments were not made," Jerry DeLuca of the probation department said in May.

Brown's explanation for the delay in payment was that a contract he anticipated signing last year didn't happen. He then agreed to put the proceeds of a new contract into the trust, making payments every 60 days. Brown got a scolding from the judge to pay up on time.

"You can't wait three months. It's go to be paid each and every month. Whatever you plan, I hope this contract works, and I hope that gets you on track so you are able to consistently pay your child support in a timely manner," Carey told the singer in May.

Later, Brown tried to explain.

"I've been shooting a television show, and recording an album. It's hard for me. It's easy to not know," Brown said.

Brown has had other legal troubles. In January 2003, he was sent to jail for a drunken driving conviction. The following February, he was back behind bars for violating his probation.

"I do not believe that he has no money. I believe he does not have assets in his name, but he does have the ability to reach assets in name of others," Linda Medonis, attorney for the mother of Brown's children, said.

"He hasn't worked in years himself. And this is his child support obligation and, frankly, Whitney Houston, if this is the resource that everyone is referring to, she is under no obligation to pay that for him and this is his obligation," said Brown's attorney Melissa Whish.

Last May, he was charged with misdemeanor battery for allegedly hitting his wife.