NEW CASTLE, Pa. -- The family of 26-year-old Kenzie Houk didn't hold back Monday night when speaking out about her death and her two daughters.

Jordan Brown, 11, remained in the Lawrence County Jail Monday evening after authorities charged him as an adult with murder. Efforts were under way to move him to a facility that can better handle juveniles.

State police said Brown shot and killed his father's pregnant girlfriend, Houk, at the home they all shared in Wampum.

Houk was eight months pregnant with the child of Brown's father and also had two daughters, ages 4 and 7, who lived together in the rural home on Wampum New Galilee Road where authorities said she was slain in bed Friday.

State police said the boy got onto a school bus with Houk's oldest daughter after the shooting. Troopers apprehended him at school after tree trimmers called 911 when Houk's youngest daughter told them she thought her mother was dead.

Police said Brown used a child-sized 20-gauge hunting shotgun his father had given him for Christmas.

Houk's father, mother, sister and brother-in-law spoke Monday night about the woman they'd lost three days ago.

"She'd take his side sometimes over her own kids to try to make him happy to try to make this work," said Debbie Houk, the victim's mother.

"I know, with the grace of God, our families are going to get through this and get through it." - Jennifer Kraner, Kenzie Houk's sister

Responding to analysis on national news outlets, Debbie Houk is extremely angry that anyone would try to place blame anywhere besides on the person who pulled the trigger, WTAE Channel 4 Action News reporter Jon Greiner reported.

"It's like you've tried to say who did it; we know who did it. Kenzie is not the actual person we need to look at and say, 'Kenzie did nothing wrong. It ain't about who did it, or did she?' Kenzie did nothing wrong. Her life's gone," Debbie Houk said.

Charge Child As Adult? Family Says Yes

Debate lingers over whether Brown should be tried as an adult. The family thinks he should because there are signs the act may have been premeditated.

"He, the kid, tried to muffle the sound and he didn't know what he was doing? Then, walk out and go to school? ... It's unbelievable. What would possess him to (do that)? It's crazy," said Jack Houk, the victim's father.

There is no minimum age for a juvenile to be tried as an adult in the commonwealth. A preliminary hearing in the case is scheduled for Thursday.

The family said they'll think of Kenzie Houk every time they look at her two children.

"I know, with the grace of God, our families are going to get through this and get through it with those children and we don't hate anybody," said Jennifer Kraner, the victim's sister.

Kenzie Houk's visitation is scheduled for Tuesday in New Castle from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. with a funeral immediately following.