Mother, 35, Kills Four-Year-Old Daughter, Self After Losing Custody Battle

A 35-year-old mother in Houston, Texas, has allegedly killed her four-year-old daughter and later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after losing a custody battle over the child.

The woman, identified as Cibelle Savella, reportedly shot her daughter, Vivian, hours after a family court judge awarded primary custody of the girl to her father, Aaron Savella.

According to the New York Post, police responding to a shooting at the family’s home in west Houston found Vivian dead from a gunshot wound.

Officers also found Savella with a gunshot wound. She was taken to hospital but later died from her injuries.

The incident occurred shortly after a custody hearing involving the child, with the father expected to take custody of Vivian later that day.

Houston Police Department Lieutenant Larry Crowson said the court hearing had not gone in Savella’s favour.

“There was a custody hearing earlier today that didn’t go well for the mother,” Crowson said, according to the New York Post.

The report said Savella returned home after the hearing before the shooting occurred.

The couple had reportedly been involved in a prolonged custody dispute following their divorce.

Court orders had imposed several restrictions on Savella, including supervised communication with her daughter and limits on her attendance at some of the child’s school activities.

She also had financial obligations towards the child, although the reasons for the restrictions remained unclear.

The father’s lawyer, Charlotte Rainwater, described the incident as highly unusual, citing her long experience in family law.

“I’ve been practising family law for 28 years and have never experienced anything like this,” Rainwater said, according to the report.

The family described Vivian as a deeply loved child and said her father had complied with the court process throughout the custody dispute.

“Aaron did everything the law asks of a parent who is trying to protect his child. He trusted the courts. He followed every order. He waited for the process to work,” the family said through their lawyer.

Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deaths.