Published: 05:07 BST, 24 August 2026 | Updated: 05:54 BST, 24 August 2026
A young girl from Louisiana has died after being infected with a brain-eating amoeba she likely contracted while swimming in a local lake.
Lillian Smart succumbed to primary amebic meningoencephalitis on Saturday – just one day after her eighth birthday, her parents said in a heartbreaking post on the Love for Lillian Facebook page.
She likely became infected after she went swimming at Lake Claiborne and came in contact with the amoeba Naegleria fowleri, which traveled up her nose and into the brain, the Louisiana Department of Health has said.
'Last night, Lillian ran from our arms to the arms of Jesus,' the girl's parents wrote. 'The injuries to her brain were too severe for her little body to recover from.'
'Everyone did everything they could to keep her here,' the parents continued, noting they are 'heartbroken and honestly do not know what to do next.
'How do we put one foot in front of the other without our girl?'
After hearing the news, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry shared his condolences on social media.
'Heartbroken over the news of Lillian's passing,' he posted on X. 'Please join Sharon and me in prayer for the Smart family and the entire Ruston community during this time.'
Lillian Smart succumbed to amebic meningoencephalitis on Saturday – just one day after her eighth birthday
Her heartbroken parents said they are leaning on their Christian faith as they grieve
Senator John Kennedy also said he and his wife were 'heartbroken' by the news.
'Our hearts and prayers are with Lillian’s family, Ruston and all of Louisiana as we mourn this sweet little girl,' he posted on Facebook
'May God comfort her family and give them strength in the days ahead.'
Smart was first hospitalized on April 15, days after her trip to the lake, KNOE reports.