Mother shot 4-year-old daughter after custody ruling
2 october 2026 в 05:02
A four-year-old girl named Vivian Savella was shot by her mother in Houston, Texas, shortly after a court awarded her father primary custody. The incident occurred on the evening of September 29, when police received reports of gunfire and arrived at the scene around 5:45 PM. Upon arrival, they found that Vivian was already dead, and there were other people in the house.
According to a police spokesperson, after the custody hearing, the family returned home. At that moment, the stepfather and nanny were downstairs and heard gunshots from upstairs. They went up and found the victim. The stepfather attempted to perform CPR on Vivian but was unsuccessful. The mother, whose name has not yet been released, attempted to take her own life and was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but is reportedly expected to survive.
The shooting occurred on the same evening that the judge overseeing the custody case granted the girl’s father custody. The mother, who was ordered to have «visitation rights only under constant supervision», - shot Vivian on the night she was supposed to hand the girl over to her father.
Investigators have already spoken with the stepfather and nanny in an effort to determine the circumstances of the incident. It is currently unclear whether the mother has been charged in connection with Vivian’s death. The Houston Police Department did not respond to a request for comment on the case.
The family’s attorney confirmed the victim’s identity and stated that they are «devastated» by the tragedy. He noted that Vivian was «immensely loved» by her father Aaron and everyone who knew her. The attorney also emphasized that Aaron «did everything required by law to protect his daughter» and expressed gratitude to everyone who has shown kindness during this difficult time, asking for privacy for the family during their period of mourning.
According to a police spokesperson, after the custody hearing, the family returned home. At that moment, the stepfather and nanny were downstairs and heard gunshots from upstairs. They went up and found the victim. The stepfather attempted to perform CPR on Vivian but was unsuccessful. The mother, whose name has not yet been released, attempted to take her own life and was taken to the hospital in critical condition, but is reportedly expected to survive.
The shooting occurred on the same evening that the judge overseeing the custody case granted the girl’s father custody. The mother, who was ordered to have «visitation rights only under constant supervision», - shot Vivian on the night she was supposed to hand the girl over to her father.
Investigators have already spoken with the stepfather and nanny in an effort to determine the circumstances of the incident. It is currently unclear whether the mother has been charged in connection with Vivian’s death. The Houston Police Department did not respond to a request for comment on the case.
The family’s attorney confirmed the victim’s identity and stated that they are «devastated» by the tragedy. He noted that Vivian was «immensely loved» by her father Aaron and everyone who knew her. The attorney also emphasized that Aaron «did everything required by law to protect his daughter» and expressed gratitude to everyone who has shown kindness during this difficult time, asking for privacy for the family during their period of mourning.
© Artemenko Olga
