Lithuanian Prosecutors Launch Criminal Investigation into Infant Death at Kaunas Hospital

A two‑month‑old infant died at Kaunas Clinic in late July after being admitted in a critical condition. Medical staff identified a rare genetic disorder, Patau syndrome, and noted severe under‑nutrition and weight loss.

The Vilnius District Prosecutor's Office opened a pre‑trial (ikiteisminis) investigation for alleged abuse of parental rights, assessing whether the parents' delay in seeking medical care contributed to the child's fatal condition. The investigation was initiated after the State Child Protection and Adoption Service (VVTAĮ) supplied additional information and after revoking a prior police decision not to proceed.

Separately, the child‑protection service decided to remove all seven children from the family, including the deceased infant, a decision made without prior notification of the baby's death. The case has drawn attention to the coordination between medical, legal, and child‑protection authorities.