Louisiana Girl Dies From Rare Brain-Eating Amoeba Infection

An eight-year-old girl from Ruston, Louisiana, died Saturday, August 22, 2026, after contracting a rare brain-eating amoeba, Naegleria fowleri, likely acquired while swimming in Lake Claiborne.

Lillian Smart passed away at a Ruston hospital following severe brain injuries caused by primary amebic meningoencephalitis, just one day after celebrating her eighth birthday, according to her family.

State health officials first confirmed on August 19 that a resident had been hospitalized with the infection after exposure to the lake, marking one of only a few cases recorded in Louisiana since 2011.

"Last night Lillian ran from our arms to the arms of Jesus," the Smart family said in a public statement on Facebook. "The injuries to her brain were too severe for her little body to recover from. Everyone did everything they could to keep her here.

We 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?"

Local businesses in Ruston rallied to support the family during Lillian's hospitalization in the pediatric intensive care unit, while state leaders expressed condolences online.

"Our foundation is still in Jesus," the Smart family said in a statement detailing their reliance on faith and community support. "We didn’t get to keep our girl but we watched miracles happen on her behalf. We believe God is good.

He will give us strength when we have none left. He’s given us a community of support that I don’t think can be found anywhere else in the world. Lil would have loved seeing everyone come together and she would have been right in the middle of it trying to help where she could."

The family expressed appreciation for the surrounding community while asking for ongoing support and prayers for Lillian's brothers during the grieving process.

"We are devastated. We know you are too. Pray for our boys.

They are going to need it so much. Pray for our friends and family; they are so sad and somehow still showing up for us. Pray for us, we won’t be able to do this without it."

Lillian's family expressed additional gratitude to all those who offered assistance and prayers throughout the crisis.

"We are so grateful to you for loving our girl."

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry joined Attorney General Liz Murrill in issuing public messages of sympathy following news of the child's passing.

"Heartbroken over the news of Lillian’s passing," Landry said in a post on X. "Please join Sharon and me in prayer for the Smart family and the entire Ruston community during this time."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Naegleria fowleri is a warm freshwater amoeba that enters through the nose, leading to fatal brain infections in roughly 97 percent of reported cases.