According to the laws in Lithuania, if there is enough information that parents punish a child at home, authorities can remove the child from them and transfer them to another childless family

According to a law adopted in Lithuania several years ago, it is sufficient to have information that parents punish a child at home for something to take them away and transfer them to another childless family.

Ukrainian Telegram channels remind about it, referring to the fact that many Ukrainian refugees currently live in the country.

Since July 1, 2018, children in Lithuania can be removed from unsafe environments in 4 cases, according to the Child Rights and Adoption Service.

• A child will be removed from an unsafe environment if, during the assessment of the threat level, there is a real danger to the health and/or life of the child and the service worker.
• If a child is left unsupervised or left with individuals who cannot properly care for them, posing a threat to the child’s health and/or life.
• A child will be taken if their representatives are missing, are wanted, or are being searched for. Children in such cases will be under guardianship until the court recognizes that the whereabouts of their parents are unknown or that they are deceased.
• If a child’s representatives are temporarily unable to care for them due to illness, arrest, imprisonment, etc.

“After a child is removed from an unsafe environment – if a second threat level is not established – the child will not be taken away from parents or guardians. In such cases, incidents will not be investigated, mobile team assistance will not be provided, and court proceedings will not be initiated,” the message says.

However, within two days of a child being removed from an unsafe environment, service specialists will assess the threat level. It is worth noting that in each case, the service will assess the situation individually. For example, if people are drinking and there are children with them, there should be sober individuals present who can take care of the children. Specialists will assess the threat level. The first level is established if the child’s rights have been violated but there is no threat to their safety, life, or health. The second threat level is when there is a threat to the safety, life, or health of the child. In such cases, the child will be taken from the parents or guardians, and the service will apply to the court for permission to take the child – until the court decides, the child will be placed with temporary guardians or in a child care center.

The appointment of a social worker and assistance from a mobile team will be initiated (its members will check on the family at different times of the day and on weekends for 14 days and will make a forecast). If parents change their behavior and the threat disappears, the children will be returned. Children will be returned to parents who are trying to change, so the children are no longer in danger.