Mother in Kėdainiai locked teenager out of home for four days, police intervened

Police in Kėdainiai, central Lithuania, intervened after a 13-year-old boy was prevented from entering his home for four days by his intoxicated mother, local broadcaster LRT reported on Monday.

According to LRT, the incident began on the evening of 17 March when a relative of the boy, who is under the guardianship of a 53-year-old family member, contacted the General Assistance Centre to report that the teenager had been unable to enter the flat on J. Basanavičiaus Street since the previous Friday.

When police arrived, they found the 52-year-old woman inside the residence with a blood alcohol level of 1.83 per mille. She claimed she had been sleeping and did not hear knocking or phone calls, LRT said.

The boy had reportedly come to collect belongings, and authorities noted that he and his mother do not live together. While no criminal offence was recorded, the case was immediately referred to child protection specialists for assessment.

Deivydas Aidukas, head of the Kaunas Regional Child Rights Protection Department, told LRT that the priority is ensuring the child’s safety and assessing whether his rights were violated.

“Our main task now is to determine whether the child’s rights were violated and whether he needs assistance. After a full assessment, speaking with the child and the person providing temporary care, we will identify what caused this sensitive incident and decide whether any support is needed to prevent similar cases,” Aidukas said.

He added that the child had previously been removed from the family due to an unsafe environment and is currently under temporary protection. Further legal steps, including possible court action to remove the minor, may follow depending on the assessment.

Child rights advocates emphasised that preserving the child’s relationship with biological parents is a key principle, provided it does not endanger the child.

“In all cases, child rights advocates aim to keep the child within the family by providing support. A child is removed only when there is a real threat to their safety, health, prolonged or repeated family difficulties,” Aidukas explained.

He also noted that parents facing difficulties have the right to change their lifestyle and regain custody, but such changes must be real and sustainable rather than merely declared.

Specialists are continuing to work with the teenager and his guardian to determine what additional measures are needed to fully meet the child’s needs.