A Utah mother who fatally shot her 11-year-old daughter at a cheerleading competition in Las Vegas before taking her own life had previously lost custody of the child in a bitter legal dispute, according to court documents and police reports.
Years-Long Custody Dispute Preceded Tragedy
Tawnia McGeehan, 34, killed her daughter Addilyn Smith in a Las Vegas hotel room last weekend before turning the gun on herself, as confirmed by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. The tragic incident occurred during a cheerleading competition where Addilyn was scheduled to perform.
Court Documents Reveal Troubled History
Court records obtained by The New York Post detail a contentious custody battle between McGeehan and Addilyn's father, Brad Smith. The parents divorced in 2017, and by December 2020, a Utah County court granted Smith temporary sole custody of their daughter.
The judge cited multiple concerning factors in the decision, including McGeehan's parental alienation tactics and incidents of domestic abuse witnessed by the child. The court noted that Smith demonstrated a better understanding of the child's physical and emotional needs at that time.
Supervised Visitation and Legal Complications
As part of the 2020 custody arrangement, the judge ordered that McGeehan be required to have a third party present during her visitation times with Addilyn. The court had scheduled a hearing for January 2021 to review the temporary custody order, though the outcome of that proceeding remains unclear according to available documents.
Additional legal troubles plagued McGeehan's history, including custodial interference charges filed in 2018 and consecutive bankruptcy filings, as reported by The New York Post.
Custody Modification and Recent Arrangements
By May 2024, the custody arrangement underwent significant modification when a judge awarded both parents joint legal and physical custody. The revised order stipulated that the parents should have minimal contact with each other during child exchanges.
Notably, the court granted McGeehan presumptive decision-making authority over major aspects of Addilyn's life, including education, healthcare, religious upbringing, and other significant matters. The order specified that Smith could appeal to the judge if he disagreed with McGeehan's decisions regarding their daughter.
Wellness Checks and Final Hours
On February 15, Addilyn's cheer team requested a wellness check after the 11-year-old failed to appear for the competition on Sunday morning. Police initially responded to the hotel for a welfare check but reported receiving no response from the room.
Law enforcement officials stated they found no immediate cause for concern during their initial visit. However, hotel security personnel decided to access the room later in the day after receiving repeated requests for checks, according to police statements.
Community Mourns Young Cheerleader
Addilyn's death has profoundly impacted her cheer community, with her team expressing deep sorrow over the loss. Utah Xtreme Cheer posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, stating, "She was so beyond loved, and she will always be a part of the UXC family."
Emily Morgan, who previously coached Addilyn, shared memories with local media, noting, "She took a lot of pride in what she was doing. As a coach, that's the dream. And because of that attitude, I always knew she was going to go far in this experience."
Police have not yet publicly commented on a potential motive for the murder-suicide, leaving many questions unanswered about what led to this devastating outcome. The investigation continues as authorities work to piece together the events that culminated in this family tragedy.
