>> yet none of that got in the way of school. her mother, mai, says tara was a bright, honor roll student, who loved to learn. >> she would read books. four, five books at once, and she would sit at dinner reading a book at the same time. >> you'd have to tell her to take the book away from the table? >> yeah, right. but a lot of times -- how could you yell at a kid when they read a book? >> yeah. >> smart kid, tom? >> yeah, she was a smart kid. science just came easily fpr her. >> reporter: and when she aced her a. c. t. college admissions exam, tara was over the moon. >> she liked to rub it in and brag. >> i'm pretty sure she texted me in all capital letters throughout our conversation. like, "oh, my gosh, look what i got. i didn't even study." >> reporter: it was january 10th, 2014, and to celebrate her score and good grades, tara asked if she could have a friday night sleepover. >> at that time, i was so happy. i can't turn her down. i say sure. >> and the girl that came over