Liepāja mother loses custody after intoxicated TikTok livestream

A Liepāja mother of two lost her parental rights in August after appearing heavily intoxicated during a TikTok livestream, LSM reported. She denies having an addiction and wants to prove she can care for her children, while the Liepāja child protection authority is looking for relatives who could take them in.

The woman, who is raising her six-month-old and two-year-old children alone, said she rarely drinks alcohol. She said one drinking episode led to her children being removed from her care.

“I started drinking during the day, but no one suspected anything. The children were at home, everything was fine, and I fed them. At around seven in the evening, I started a TikTok Live and talked to people. Then the baby began crying, and someone notified the police,” said the woman, identified by the pseudonym Annija.

After the children were removed, she was given 15 days to address the risks so they could return to the family. That period proved insufficient. The Liepāja child protection authority has not restored her custody rights, and the children remain with a crisis foster family.

“The social worker said I had to complete all the assigned tasks: see a psychologist, visit an addiction specialist and attend one meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous. I really did not need to be there because I do not drink alcohol every day. I do not consider myself a drunk,” the mother said.

The municipal police are still examining the administrative offence. “The proceedings are ongoing, and the final decision will be made by the Children’s Affairs Subcommittee. For such conduct, the offender may receive a warning or a fine of up to 42 fine units,” said Elva Rozenberga, a representative of Liepāja Municipal Police.

Anita Segliņa, a representative of the Liepāja Social Service, said the family must first ensure that the children receive proper care, upbringing and fulfilment of their basic needs so they are not harmed.

“The child’s needs must take priority over a parent’s needs or whims, such as what I will do this evening,” the social service representative said.

Annija has been known to the Liepāja Social Service for some time and has used its assistance since 2024.