Ex Parte Alderson

SMITH, Justice.

This is a petition for a writ of habeas corpus. Relator was placed in Fort Bend County jail on March 5, 1981, for contempt of court for nonpayment of child support, and seeks release from custody of the sheriff of Fort Bend County, Texas.

On September 28, 1978, relator was divorced from Carol Ann Alderson. The decree appointed Carol Ann Alderson managing conservator and the relator possessory conservator of their only child, and ordered the relator to pay $270.00 monthly in child support.

On December 18, 1980, the court found relator in contempt of court for disobeying the…