Lithuanian authorities remove six children after infant's death amid family's refusal of medical care

Authorities have removed six children from a family in Lithuania's Ukmergė district following the death of an infant, citing threats to the remaining children's safety and well-being. The family, known to local officials, reportedly lives a non-traditional lifestyle, eschewing conventional medical services and vaccinations.

Regional mayor Darius Varnas stated that the family has previously refused medical care, even for a stroke-affected elderly woman they were caring for in exchange for housing. In that instance, medical personnel were denied access, requiring police intervention to transport the woman to the hospital. Varnas also mentioned past reports of the family possibly burying a child years ago without informing anyone, prompting a police search that yielded no results.

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Unfortunately, the elderly woman under care was not given the necessary medication, despite suffering a stroke. Emergency medical service workers were not allowed to approach the patient, so the police had to be called. Only with the help of officers was it possible to take the elderly woman to the hospital.

The family, which previously lived in social housing, moved to a secluded farmhouse. Varnas described the living conditions as "not the best." He noted that the children attend "outdoor schools" focused on nature rather than conventional educational institutions. The mayor indicated that the family believes their children possess natural immunity and do not require medical attention or vaccines.

The decision to remove the children was made by child welfare guardians. The father reportedly contacted the mayor on Sunday to report the infant's death. The family's unconventional lifestyle and refusal of medical services have been a subject of discussion among local authorities for some time.

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They live a different life than all of us. There are no thoughts about vaccines or doctors there. (...) They say that they do not need any vaccines or doctors because the children gain immunity on their own and they say that they are healthy because of it, although there are indeed children there who are not healthy. (...) They give birth to children at home.