Mother of deceased infant criticises midwives and doctors for delayed care

The mother of a two-month-old girl who died in a Kaunas hospital from rare genetic Patau syndrome has criticised both medical staff and child rights authorities, according to a report by LRT.

Smiltėja Žlabienė said she initially noticed her newborn had a cleft lip and palate but was told by midwives that such conditions are typically corrected later in childhood, leading the family to believe immediate medical attention was unnecessary. Only when the infant failed to gain weight did the family seek help from doctors.

Žlabienė claims she sought assistance for her daughter but instead faced scrutiny from the State Child Rights Protection and Adoption Service (VTAĮT). She described her family as stable and loving, providing a nurturing environment for their children in a natural setting—something many parents only dream of.

Lina Baranauskienė, head of the Vilnius County Child Rights Division, defended the service’s actions, stating that authorities must follow established protocols when receiving reports of potential child rights violations. “When doctors receive a child in critical condition and cannot immediately determine whether neglect or illness is to blame, they are obligated to report it,” she explained.

Žlabienė argued that during such a difficult time, families should be allowed to focus entirely on their child rather than dealing with institutional inquiries. “It’s not the time to take the parents’ attention away. When the child recovers, then you can ask questions. But not at that moment,” she said.

Child rights specialists clarified that decisions to remove children from families are not made hastily but only after a thorough assessment of the situation, including input from educational, medical, and social environments.

The infant’s father previously stated that all their children are born at home and that the family does not typically seek medical care. Žlabienė added that while they are currently grieving, they must address the situation. She acknowledged the stress of the experience and the possibility of statements made under its influence.

She also noted that the family has a trusted private doctor and primarily uses private healthcare for their children. Žlabienė emphasised that their approach to education is unconventional, focusing on holistic development rather than traditional classroom learning, with official support from a school providing consultations and coordination.