Mother accused of killing 4-year-old after custody hearing in Houston, attorney and police say

HOUSTON -- A 4-year-old girl is dead after she was shot by her mother after a custody hearing on Tuesday, according to the Houston Police Department.

The shooting happened at 5:45 p.m. at 300 Terra Reserve on the city's west side.

The girl was identified as Vivian Savella by the family's attorney.

Police said Vivian was found shot to death and her mother allegedly turned the gun on herself but survived.

The family's attorney said in a statement that her dad trusted the courts, followed every order, and waited for the process to work.

Sources close to the family told ABC Houston affiliate KTRK that a family court judge had just granted custody of Vivian to her father, and she was supposed to be turned over to him Tuesday night.

Homicide investigators spoke to the stepfather and childcare aide, who were at home at the time of the shooting.