Mother Shoots, Kills Her 6-Year-Old Child Before Killing Herself

A woman allegedly shot and killed her 6-year-old daughter before turning the gun on herself and killing herself at a Spring-area home in Harris County, Texas on Monday, Jan. 2.

The deceased woman's and her 6-year-old daughter's bodies were discovered on Tuesday, Jan. 3 by the woman's teenage children at their home on Vernal Glen Circle, which is just west of the North Freeway and just north of Cypresswood Drive. The teens, a 13-year-old girl, and a 16-year-old boy were shaken after they found their mother and half-sister dead inside the residence, KHOU 11 News reported.

According to Harris County Sheriff Ed Gonzalez, the woman was last seen alive on Monday night before the teens went out. When the teens returned home, they thought that their mother had gone to sleep early and did not check on her. However, when they checked on her Tuesday, they found her dead. Authorities believe that the shootings happened on Monday night sometime while the teens were gone.

Gonzalez added that the preliminary investigation revealed that the woman was having marital problems with the father of the child that was found dead. Gonzalez said that even though the couple was legally married, they had been separated since Oct. The father travels for work and was not at the crime scene on Tuesday afternoon.

After discovering the bodies, the oldest child, a junior in high school, called 911, and then his dad, who is the woman's ex-husband, asked to be picked up.

"Right now, I just don't know what's going to happen," the ex-husband said.

He said that he is grateful his son is safe. However, he added that he is heartbroken for his son's half-siblings.

According to Gonzalez, the woman had been dealing with depression for the past several months and had been struggling with the separation from her husband, ABC 13 reported.

"Just a heartbreaking and tragic situation," Gonzalez said. "Depression is a real thing."

Gonzalez added that birthday decorations from the girl's 6th birthday were still present in the house.

It's unclear who owns the gun that was used in the shootings. The investigation into the shooting incident is currently ongoing.