THE dark past of the mom who killed her 11-year-old daughter before turning the gun on herself in a devastating murder-suicide has been revealed in telling court documents.

Tawnia McGeehan, 38, was once deemed unable to care for her daughter Addi Smith because of “domestic abuse,” according to disturbing filings from her bitter nine year custody battle.

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Tawnia McGeehan (right) shot and killed her daughter Addi Smith (left) before turning the gun on herself, cops sayCredit: Facebook
 

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McGeehan went through a bitter nine year custody battle with her ex-husband Bradley SmithCredit: Facebook
 

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The mother and daughter were found dead in the Rio Casino and Hotel in Las Vegas, NevadaCredit: Alamy
The mom had first say over major decisions in her daughter’s life when they were found dead in a Las Vegas, Nevada, hotel room over the weekend.

But her rights had hung in the balance at some points during the grueling battle with her ex-husband Bradley Smith.

A family court ruled Smith understood Addi’s “physical and emotional needs” better and determined McGeehan could only have supervised visitation in one 2020 order seen by the New York Post.

Family Court Commissioner Marian Ito wrote the mom “has committed domestic abuse in the presence of the minor child,” but didn’t give any details on who was abused.

McGeehan subjected Addi to “parental alienation” and her ability to parent alongside Smith was “seriously in question,” Ito wrote.

A custody evaluator was ordered by the commissioner to investigate their arrangement.

The couple filed for divorce in 2015 and their split was finalized in 2017, according to records seen by NBC affiliate KSL.

Their back and forth custody battle finally came to an end in 2024 when they were both deemed fit parents – as long as they followed a lengthy list of rules while caring for Addi.

Among the petty demands was an order stating they had to do custody changes either at school when it was in session or at the local police department.

“The parties are to park five parking stalls away from one another and A.S. will walk herself to the receiving parents’ car. Neither party is to videotape the child’s exchanges,” the order reads.

The parents were ordered to speak respectfully of one another and to not alienate their daughter from either party.

Addie and McGeehan were in Las Vegas over the weekend for a cheerleading competition, but failed to show up for any of the events.

Cops conducted a wellness check at their hotel room on Sunday, but no one answered and they didn’t have enough cause to break in.

Hotel security opened the doors to check on the pair later that day and found the horror scene.

Tributes for Addi Smith, 11, the cheerleader who was killed in a Las Vegas hotel room

“Our sweet athlete Addi has passed away,” said Utah Xtreme Cheer.

“We are completely heartbroken. No words do the situation justice,” the organization stated.

“Please keep her family in your thoughts and prayers and continue to send them love as they navigate this unimaginable loss.”

Addi “was absolutely loved in our gym,” said Utah Fusion All-Stars, a competitive cheerleading group.

The girl “will always be remembered for her sweet smile and light that she brought to her teams.”

Leaders in the cheer community have come together to mourn the death of the girl who they described as kind and hard-working.

“She would light up the room and always went after what she wanted and strived for,” said Emily Morgan, who owned the Utah Fusion All Stars cheer squad gym.

“She was so proud of herself, accomplished anything, and was a great kid.”

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The pair were found by hotel securityCredit: Facebook
 

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Addi’s coaches have remembered her as a friendly and hardworker cheerleaderCredit: Facebook
Source: https://www.the-sun.com/news/15968689/mom-killed-cheerleader-las-vegas-custody-divorce/