Providing Legal Security for Youth: Olivia Cares and Tash Bottum

PROTECTING THE YOUNG

Olivia Cares

Tash Bottum

Olivia Cares and Tash Bottum represented the family of a young child who was born to an American mother in Syria and who was later found by United States officials in a refugee camp in Iran. The U.S. Department of State officials believed that her parents were missing in Syria and had likely died during the war in that country. Officials identified other family members of the young child, including a maternal aunt and uncle and their three small children, who were living in the United States.

After reuniting the child with her family members, the Department reached out to Fredrikson to help the family. Olivia and Tash worked with the child’s aunt and uncle on the family’s behalf to obtain legal custody, which was required to schedule overdue doctor’s visits, enroll her in preschool and provide other care afforded their other children. Today, she is a healthy, happy child who loves her adoptive family. Joe Cassioppi provided support.

“It was gratifying to assist in providing some security to a family that was already invested in making something positive out of an otherwise tragic situation. Though the young child was safely adjusting to her life here in Minneapolis, obtaining legal status as custodians was necessary to give our clients certainty that their bond with the child would be respected and recognized outside of their home. The relief and gratitude they felt for that service was truly rewarding.” – Olivia Cares