A young life, brimming with promise, was tragically extinguished in a Las Vegas hotel room last weekend. Eleven-year-old Addilyn Smith, a dedicated cheerleader, was killed by her mother, Tawnia McGeehan, who then took her own life.
This devastating act wasn’t a sudden eruption, but the culmination of years of turmoil. Court records reveal a protracted and deeply bitter custody battle between McGeehan and Addilyn’s father, Brad Smith, stretching back to their divorce in 2017.
By 2020, the court had granted Brad Smith temporary sole custody of Addilyn. The judge’s decision stemmed from serious concerns about McGeehan’s behavior, specifically citing parental alienation and instances of domestic abuse witnessed by the child.
The judge recognized Smith as being more attuned to Addilyn’s needs, both emotionally and physically. Supervised visits were mandated for McGeehan, requiring a third party to be present during any time spent with her daughter.
The legal landscape shifted in May of 2024, with a modified decree awarding both parents joint legal and physical custody. However, strict limitations were placed on direct contact between the parents, requiring virtually no interaction during exchanges.
McGeehan was granted primary decision-making authority regarding Addilyn’s upbringing – education, healthcare, and religious development – with a provision allowing Smith to appeal those decisions to the court if he disagreed.
Alarm bells sounded on February 15th when Addilyn failed to appear for a cheerleading competition. Her team requested a welfare check, prompting an initial police response to the hotel room.
Officers found no immediate cause for concern during that first check and left. However, persistent requests from hotel security led to a room entry later in the day, revealing the horrific scene.
Addilyn’s cheer community is reeling from the loss. Described as a dedicated and passionate athlete, she was a beloved member of the Utah Xtreme Cheer organization, leaving an indelible mark on everyone she knew.
Former coaches remember a girl who took immense pride in her cheerleading, possessing a drive and positive attitude that signaled a bright future. The motive behind this tragedy remains under investigation, leaving a community searching for answers amidst profound grief.
