8-Year-Old Girl Dies After Contracting Brain-Eating Amoeba, Likely from Swimming in Lake

Lillian Smart, 8, died after a Naegleria fowleri infection likely linked to swimming in Lake Claiborne, according to Louisiana health officials.

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Lillian Smart’s family shared their heartbreak after her death from a rare infection

The 8-year-old likely contracted the brain-eating amoeba while swimming in Lake Claiborne in Louisiana

Local businesses and residents honored Lillian with a fundraiser and wore Love for Lillian shirts to show support

A child has died from a rare infection that she likely acquired while swimming in Louisiana.

The parents of Lillian Smart announced her death in a Facebook post on Sunday, Aug. 23. The 8-year-old had been hospitalized with a Naegleria fowleri infection since Aug. 15, having likely acquired it while swimming in Lake Claiborne, KNOE reported, citing the Louisiana Department of Health.

According to the CDC, the amoeba “thrives in warm freshwater lakes, rivers, and hot springs,” with infections developing after water that contains it goes up the nose to the brain. Symptoms range from headaches, fever, and nausea to loss of balance and hallucinations.

“Last night Lillian ran from our arms to the arms of Jesus,” Smart’s parents wrote 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…”

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The family vowed to maintain their religious faith while expressing appreciation for the local community that supported them while Lillian was in the hospital.

“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,” they continued on Facebook. “We are devastated. We know you are too.”

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“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,” the family added. “Pray for us, we won’t be able to do this without it. We are so grateful to you for loving our girl.”

Smart’s death comes after the local community marked her birthday with a Love for Lillian fundraiser. According to KNOE, local shops and restaurants donated a portion of their proceeds for the day to her family.

Many people across Ruston also wore Love for Lillian shirts to show their support.

“She’s just always a happy child. She’s just as happy a place she goes,” said Patricia Willis, owner of The Children’s Shoppe & Peach Lemonade, at the time, per KNOE. “Every time you see her, she has a smile on her face.”

The Louisiana Department of Health did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

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