Back child support from a missing parent

My mother divorced my father over 30 years ago, a child support ordered was issued. The problem was he left and went to another state and another, and so on. He could not be found and had no contact with any of his family. We have just recently found out where he is after all of these years. My question is, Can my mother collect the back child support now. They both were TN. residents. any help would be greatly appericated.

Given that he was intentionally hiding from his support obligation, it may well be possible for her to collect the arrearage. She would probably be best served by consulting a family lawyer in the state which issued the support order.