Tragic Death of 8-Year-Old from Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba

An 8-year-old girl has tragically passed away after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba, likely while swimming in a local lake, according to her family and health officials.

Lillian Smart, who was from Ruston in northern Louisiana, died in the hospital over the weekend shortly after her birthday, her parents reported.

“Last night Lillian ran from our arms to the arms of Jesus,” her family shared in a Facebook post on Sunday. “The injuries to her brain were too severe for her little body to recover from,” they added.

The family previously mentioned that Lillian had experienced significant brain swelling due to the parasite.

The Louisiana Department of Health had announced last week that a resident likely contracted the organism known as Naegleria fowleri while swimming in Lake Claiborne, which is located around 30 miles northwest of Ruston.

This microscopic amoeba thrives in warm freshwater and can lead to a neurological infection if water containing it enters through the nose and reaches the brain, as explained by the state health department. It doesn’t cause infection if ingested and is not transmissible between individuals.

According to the department, “The infection is extremely rare, but nearly always fatal.”

Though health officials did not specifically name Lillian as the infected resident, friends and family confirmed her identity to several local news outlets.

Infections from Naegleria fowleri are quite rare, with only about 180 confirmed cases reported from 1937 to 2025 in the United States, as per data from the Louisiana Department of Health. The state has recorded only three cases throughout that timeframe.

Most infections have generally concentrated in southern and central states due to the warmer climates. However, recent studies suggest that climate change is warming waters in northern and midwestern regions as well, potentially broadening the areas where the amoeba could exist.

Initial symptoms of infection can include headaches, fever, nausea, and vomiting, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The infection’s progression can be rapid, leading to symptoms such as a stiff neck, confusion, hallucinations, and balance issues.

Lillian had been receiving intensive care since last week after being admitted with a fever that escalated into double vision, her mother stated on Facebook.

Before her passing, local businesses participated in a fundraiser to celebrate Lillian’s birthday and helped in raising funds for her family, as reported by local news outlets. Residents noted that Lillian was well-liked in the community for her joyful spirit.

“She’s just always a happy child,” one local business owner remarked. “Every time you see her, she has a smile on her face.”

“Everyone did everything they could to keep her here,” Lillian’s parents expressed on Facebook. “We are heartbroken and honestly do not know what to do next.”

Earlier this year, a Georgia resident also died from the amoeba, and a child in Nebraska was reported as the state’s first death related to it in 2022.

In both instances, health officials indicated that patients had become infected after swimming in freshwater.