Daniel MacIsaac
Northern News Services

NNSL (Feb 05/99) - Blood may be thicker than water, but it was legal action that helped bring Caitlin Stevens and her father in Yellowknife together.

Caitlin, an 18-year-old Fredericton, N.B., high school senior, sued her absentee father who lives in Yellowknife for support in 1996. And though the two recently agreed on an out-of-court settlement of $400 a month, the case is drawing international attention and may herald a serious precedent.

"She started asking me why he didn't send support and why didn't she know him," said Elizabeth Stevens, Caitlin's mother. "And even though I didn't want anything to do with it, I didn't think my feelings about this should determine her life."

Speaking from her Fredericton home Saturday, Stevens said the family has been shocked by the attention the case has sparked.

"We actually had a tough time convincing lawyers and legal-aid services that it was a worthwhile case," she said. "They were very discouraging that this would come to a good settlement, but I honestly believe that if it had gone to court, we would have won and might have set a precedent."

Stevens said her decision to let Caitlin pursue legal action was inspired by how she's seen children victimized by divorce and relationships breaking up.

"I knew she could handle it because she believes what she is doing will help other kids," Stevens said, "It was never the money, certainly that was a consideration, but it was mostly, 'Why don't I know my father?'"

The story has already sparked national media coverage, and Stevens said the xxxNew York Times has called and that Caitlin is considering accepting an invitation to appear on the Montel Williams day-time talk show.

Caitlin's lawyer, Barbara Baird, said Monday that she has also had calls from several lawyers across Canada wanting to discuss whether children in general have an independent course of action against their parents for child support. She said a Toronto lawyer said a similar case would be going to court there in the near future.

"Legal scholars are divided about this question and so are the statutes," Baird said, "It's an area of the law that's starting to evolve."

Caitlin said Monday she was reluctant to speak to a Yellowknife-based newspaper out of consideration for her father, who she visited last summer and plans to see again this year.

"So far it's been very positive for my client," said Baird, "She has fulfilled a lifelong dream to meet her dad, to have a relationship with him."