The Bachelor star Juan Pablo Galavis' past reportedly includes being a deadbeat dad who owed his ex-girlfriend thousands of dollars of unpaid child-support payments for the daughter they had together.
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Galavis, a 32-year-old single dad to a four-year-old daughter named Camila Valentina who was born in February 2009, was ordered to pay an outstanding balance of $3,574.57 in back child support payments by a judge in May 2011, according to court documents obtained by The National Enquirer.
"Juan Pablo has been hoping that news of his court-ordered child support didn't get out because he doesn't want Bachelor fans finding out he's not the perfect father he portrays himself to be," a source told The Enquirer.
The Florida Department of Revenue's Child Support enforcement Program reportedly hit Galavis with a wage garnishment order which required his employers to automatically withhold $49 a month to pay the outstanding $3,574.57 balance, as well as an additional $243.94 per month for child support going forward.
Camila's mother is Latina actress Carla Rodriguez. The couple reportedly lasted two years before splitting.
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The court papers also allegedly indicate Rodriguez had initially requested help in obtaining child support or received public assistance for Camila.
"[Juan Pablo]'s Bachelor bio glazes right over all the domestic issues that Juan and Carla have had over the years, but they've had their fair share of heated run-ins," added the source.
However, Galavis and Rodriguez have reportedly managed to still maintain a good relationship, as his ex-girlfriend has been publicly showing her support for the Venezuelan native's stint on The Bachelor.
"While Juan and Carla don't always see eye to eye, they're both loving parents who want only the best for Camila," said the source.
According to Galavis' official The Bachelor biography previously released by ABC, Galavis retired from professional soccer career in 2008 "to focus on a more important goal, raising his daughter" in order to not be "an absentee father."
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"Juan Pablo took his responsibility as a new father seriously and began a new career in sports and entertainment consulting," the bio stated, adding that he has an "undying devotion" to Camila.
Sunday night's The Bachelor: Countdown to Juan Pablo special on ABC also portrayed Galavis as a very doting father, who takes Camila to the park and sings to her in the car. Galavis was shown raving about his unconditional love for his only child.
Galavis competed on Desiree Hartsock's ninth edition of The Bachelorette in Summer 2013 but failed to win her heart. He left the season fairly early on but became a clear fan-favorite shortly after his departure from the show.
The Bachelor's eighteenth season officially premieres Monday night at 8PM ET/PT on ABC.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski