Texas court grants father sole custody hours before four-year-old is killed
A restaurant heiress lost custody of her four-year-old daughter in a Texas court hearing on Tuesday morning, receiving only supervised visitation rights. Hours later that evening, she allegedly shot and killed the child at a townhouse and then attempted to take her own life. She survived her injuries and remains hospitalised; she has not yet been charged with any crime.
Cibelle Savella, 35, was ordered by Judge Teresa Waldrop to have supervised visits only through Guardians of Hope, whilst her ex-husband Aaron Savella, a 37-year-old private equity lawyer, was awarded full custody and sole decision-making authority over the child's upbringing, schooling and medical care. The Brazilian-born mother was also barred from teaching her daughter Portuguese unless a supervisor fluent in the language was present. The incident occurred in a gated community in Houston, Texas, at a townhouse valued at $824,000.
- Heiress lost custody of daughter Tuesday morning; child allegedly killed by mother hours later
- Supervised visitation only; ex-husband granted full custody and decision-making authority
- Mother attempted suicide after incident; charges pending
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Custody cases are family law proceedings in which courts decide which parent will have primary responsibility for a child following separation or divorce. Courts examine evidence and arguments presented by both parents, with the stated aim of determining what arrangements would best serve the child's welfare.
This case involved Cibelle Savella, a 35-year-old restaurant heiress from Brazil, and her ex-husband Aaron Savella, a 37-year-old private equity lawyer. The two were in dispute over custody and care arrangements for their young daughter.
The judge granted full custody to the father, giving him decision-making authority over the child's upbringing and care. The mother was awarded only supervised visits and subject to additional restrictions on her parenting.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Every shameful detail of custody hearing that saw heiress mother lose daughter, 4, to private equity lawyer ex… hours before youngster was shot dead in Texas gated community home”.