Houston, Texas — A 4-year-old girl was allegedly shot and killed by her mother just hours after a custody hearing, according to Houston police, in a devastating case that unfolded inside a gated townhome community.
Houston police officers were called to a reported shooting at about 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, at a townhome in the 300 block of Terra Reserve Place.
When officers arrived, they found the young girl, later identified as Vivian Savella, dead with at least one gunshot wound, Houston Police Lieutenant Larry Crowson said during a press conference.
Her mother was also found suffering from what police described as an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Mother Died After Being Taken to Hospital
The girl’s mother was rushed to a local hospital following the shooting and was initially listed in critical condition, according to police. She died the following day, authorities said.
Police have not publicly released additional details about the circumstances surrounding the mother’s death beyond describing the wound as apparently self-inflicted.
The shooting happened against the backdrop of an ongoing custody dispute involving Vivian’s parents. According to Crowson, Vivian’s mother had been involved in a custody battle with the girl’s father.
“She became distraught and shot her child,” Crowson told reporters.
Father Was Awarded Temporary Custody Earlier That Day
The shooting occurred only hours after a custody hearing involving Vivian’s parents.
During the hearing Tuesday, Vivian’s father, Aaron Savella, was granted temporary custody of his daughter, according to authorities and reports.
The temporary order gave him the right to determine Vivian’s primary residence and make decisions regarding her medical care and education.
Vivian’s mother, identified by authorities as a 35-year-old woman, was restricted to supervised visits with her daughter under the temporary arrangement. According to a statement from Vivian’s family, the 4-year-old was expected to leave with her father following the hearing.
Family Says Vivian Was Supposed to Go Home With Dad
Vivian’s family released a statement through attorneys following the tragedy. The family said the little girl was supposed to return home with her father Tuesday night.
“Our family is devastated. Vivian was 4 years old,” her family said in a statement released Wednesday. “She was loved without limit by her father, Aaron, and by everyone whose life she touched.”
The statement came as relatives and loved ones mourned Vivian’s death. The circumstances surrounding what happened between the custody hearing and the fatal shooting remain the subject of the police investigation.
Investigation Continues in Houston
Houston police continue to investigate the circumstances leading up to the shooting.
Authorities responded to the townhome after receiving the initial report, and investigators are working to establish the sequence of events that took place after the custody hearing.
The case has drawn particular attention because of the timing of the shooting and the temporary custody decision made earlier that same day.
Vivian was only 4 years old, and her death has left her family and community grieving while investigators work to determine exactly what happened inside the Houston home.
Police have not indicated that anyone else was injured in the shooting.
The tragedy also highlights the devastating consequences that can emerge during highly contentious custody disputes, although the circumstances of this case remain specific to the people involved and are still under investigation.
As the investigation continues, Vivian’s family is preparing to say goodbye to a young girl they described as deeply loved by her father and everyone who knew her.
What are your thoughts on this heartbreaking case? Share your condolences for Vivian’s family and loved ones in the comments below.
