BOSTON -- A deadbeat dad who was arrested at his mother's wake appeared in court in Canton on Wednesday.

NewsCenter 5's David Boeri reported that two women joined forces to try to get Stephen Burns, formerly of Randolph, to pay them more than $250,000.

"If he put as much time and effort in running and hiding from paying child support, and just paid his child support, he wouldn't be in this predicament," Linda Mann said.

"He owes me over $100,000. It's $108,000, or something like that, not including the Department of Revenue and not including penalties and interest. The total with that would be $161,000 -- (for) just me," Manna said.

Manna said that he left when she was pregnant with her daughter, who is now 19.

The only time Burns saw his daughter was in a courtroom in Virginia, where he was hauled for nonsupport once before. But that didn't cause him to pay the $175 a week. Later, when authorities in Massachusetts issued a warrant, officials couldn't find him to serve the warrant.

"He owes me $33,000. That's without penalties," Denise Naples said.

Burns has two children with Naples. She said that he abandoned them as well.

"He left when my son was about 4," she said. "It's a sad situation, I guess. Four kids grew up without a father," Naples said.

Naples and Manna said that they struggled to raise their children.

"I've worked three jobs, seven days a week when I had to," Manna said.

"I've always worked. I've struggled," Naples said.

Together, the women kept track of Burns' location. When they heard about his mother's death, they tipped off the constables, who served Burns a warrant at the wake.

Burns was found to be in contempt of court. He was sent to jail for six months.