An 8-year-old Louisiana girl has died after contracting a rare, almost always fatal brain infection - and her family is choosing to grieve in the open, leaning fully on their faith.
Lillian Smart, of Ruston, passed away Saturday, August 22, one day after celebrating her eighth birthday. The Louisiana Department of Health confirmed she had contracted Naegleria fowleri - commonly called a "brain-eating amoeba" - likely while swimming in Lake Claiborne.
"Last night Lillian ran from our arms to the arms of Jesus," her family wrote on the "Love for Lillian" Facebook page. "The injuries to her brain were too severe for her little body to recover from. Everyone did everything they could to keep her here."
Naegleria fowleri is a microscopic organism found in warm freshwater that causes infection when contaminated water enters through the nose. Health officials stress it cannot be contracted by drinking water and does not spread between people. Cases are extremely rare - Louisiana has recorded only a handful since 2011 - but nearly always fatal once symptoms begin.
Even in their grief, Lillian's family pointed to their faith as their steadying ground. "Our foundation is still in Jesus," they wrote. "We didn't get to keep our girl, but we watched miracles happen on her behalf. He will give us strength when we have none left." They asked for continued prayer, especially for Lillian's brothers.
Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry offered condolences to the family following her death.
