HOUSTON, TX – A director with Pruitt’s in the Heights promised at Zah’Layah Walton’s vigil that the funeral home would cover the family’s funeral costs. Houston Stringer covered the announcement. Walton’s mother, Monica Hicks, says she later received an itemized statement totaling $9,937.70.

Walton, 5, was fatally shot while riding in her mother’s vehicle near Grant and Jones roads Sept. 19. Jeremy Porter has been charged with capital murder in her death.

Hicks said she had told funeral director Linda Davis she would speak with her after the vigil because she was considering other options. Hicks said Davis subsequently approached her at the courthouse, an encounter advocates described as unusual for a funeral director.

At a news conference outside Pruitt’s, Dr. Matthews and Quanell X questioned why Hicks received the statement after the public promise. Dr. Matthews said she filed a complaint with state funeral regulators. Quanell X called for an investigation into how the funeral home obtained Hicks’ contact information and took custody of Walton’s remains.

Davis came outside during the news conference and said she had not asked Hicks for money. She said she was required to provide an itemized statement and disputed the claim that the funeral home picked up Walton without permission. “Mom, you did authorize us to pick up your daughter,” Davis said.

Later, Hicks said she had signed papers before the funeral home picked up her daughter, though she could not remember what they contained. The documents were not presented during the exchange.

Quanell X said Signature Funeral Home had agreed to handle the arrangements without charging the family.