WESLACO – A Rio Grande Valley family is speaking out after an 11-year-old girl was stabbed by her mother in Florida.

Rosa Rivera is charged with first-degree murder, accused of stabbing the girl nearly 15 times.

KRGV’s Christian Colón spoke with the girl’s aunt, Neri Rivera.

Rivera says both her niece and great niece lived with her for several years and is stunned with the incident.

“She would always say she needed to protect her daughter because she didn't want her to suffer everything she went through,” explains Rivera.

Watch the video above for the full story.