Hi, my name is Brandi — or as Olivia has always called me, Aunt Brandi. I’ve known Tara, Olivia’s mom, for over 20 years. I’ve been in Olivia’s life since the day she was born, and I love her like my own family. I'm writing this today to ask for your support in one of the most important fights of Tara’s life — a legal battle to protect her daughter’s mental health, emotional safety, and future.

When Olivia was just 6 weeks old, Tara made the hardest and bravest decision a mother can make: she left an abusive and manipulative relationship with Olivia’s father. She told herself:

"I choose my daughter over this relationship. She deserves healthy and happy — and as Mama Bear, it's my job to protect her."

Since then, Tara has done exactly that. She’s raised Olivia with love, structure, and tireless dedication. Olivia has ADHD and some learning challenges, but with Tara's support, she’s now an honor roll student, attending a specialized school in Maricopa County that supports her needs. She’s bright, kind, full of potential and she dreams of becoming a veterinarian one day. She’s also an animal lover who rescued her dog, Coral-bell, on the very day the pup was scheduled to be euthanized. Their bond is unshakable.

Tara has created a home where Olivia has stability, encouragement, and the support she needs to thrive.

But now, that stability is under threat.

Tara currently shares 50/50 custody with Olivia’s father. However, he is now petitioning the court for full custody, seeking to move Olivia out of her home, her school, and her medical support system in Maricopa County to live with him in Pima County instead and go to school in Tucson.

Tara is NOT trying to take Olivia’s father out of her life. Olivia loves her dad and her grandmother, and Tara has always supported that relationship. What she is asking for is a modification:

To be awarded full legal decision-making power (so she can make education, health, and safety decisions in Olivia’s best interest),

And to adjust parenting time in a way that prioritizes structure, stability, and safety.

While Tara continues to provide a safe, nurturing environment, Olivia’s father has shown a long-standing pattern of instability:

He has a documented history of bipolar disorder, including episodes where he disappears for extended periods and is later found hospitalized.

He has never maintained consistent employment, refuses to pay child support, and now owes over $49,000 in arrears.

He currently lives on his mother’s couch, has no personal transportation, and frequently fails to get Olivia to school on time or pulls her out early, causing weekly make-up work and academic disruption.

He has been homeless more than once, and during one of his scheduled parenting times, had Olivia staying overnight in a commercial building instead of a hotel, as promised to Tara.

A Disturbing Discovery This Summer

After Olivia spent extended time with her father over summer break, Tara noticed a serious change in her behavior. Following her instincts, she looked through Olivia’s phone — and was devastated by what she found:

Olivia had been given a knife to play with by her father.

She had taken photos of herself holding the knife up to her face.

When Tara asked Olivia about it, Olivia admitted where the knife came from. Around the same time, her father informed Tara that Olivia had expressed suicidal thoughts and suggested she might need psychiatric hospitalization.

Tara immediately drove to Pima County to bring Olivia home and get her the support she needed. That very evening, they sat down and talked openly. Tara listened with love, reassured Olivia she was safe, and made sure she had access to therapy.

Since returning to her mother’s care, Olivia has not shown any further signs of suicidal thoughts or harmful behavior. The shift was clear: with stability, love, and safety, Olivia returns to being the bright, sweet girl we all know.

Tara is doing everything in her power to protect Olivia but fighting in court isn’t easy or affordable. Between legal fees, court costs, and the need for expert testimony during trail, the financial burden is overwhelming.

Every dollar raised will go directly to attorney fees and legal support needed to make sure Tara can continue providing the safe and stable life Olivia needs and deserves.

Tara isn’t fighting out of bitterness. She’s not trying to erase Olivia’s connection to her father or her grandma. She’s fighting because she sees what her daughter needs and she’s doing everything possible to protect that.

Olivia has a bright future. She wants to be a veterinarian. She’s worked hard to thrive in school, despite challenges. She just needs to stay in the environment that allows her to grow.

If you believe every child deserves a safe, stable home and the chance to follow their dreams — please help.

Donate any amount — every dollar makes a difference

Share this campaign with friends, family, or your social media community

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing with Tara and Olivia.

With deep gratitude,

Aunt Brandi