A European human rights court has refused to take up the case of a Christian couple fighting to regain custody of their two daughters from Swedish authorities, effectively ending their legal path at that level.
The European Court of Human Rights ruled on March 10 that the application filed by Daniel and Bianca Samson was “inadmissible,” a decision that cannot be appealed. The court said the case failed to meet procedural requirements, including the need to exhaust legal remedies within Sweden.
The couple’s daughters have been separated from them since December 2022, according to Alliance Defending Freedom International, which supported the case. The legal group says the situation started after the family’s eldest daughter made an abuse allegation at school following a dispute over household rules, including restrictions on smartphone use and makeup.
ADF International said the allegation was later withdrawn and prosecutors found no evidence of abuse, but Swedish authorities did not return the children. Instead, officials cited the family’s religious practices, including attending church three times a week, as part of concerns over what was described as “religious extremism.”
The parents later completed required parenting courses and were deemed fit, but they still have not regained custody. There have been efforts to relocate the children to foster care in Romania, the family’s home country, though those attempts were denied.
The court “deemed the case inadmissible on the grounds of failure to exhaust legal remedies in Sweden,” ADF International said, despite the Swedish Supreme Court declining to hear the case in 2025.
“We love our children. We trusted Sweden to protect them — and when the truth emerged, we expected our daughters to come home,” Daniel Samson said in a statement. “Yet they remain away from us, and their mental health continues to deteriorate.”
ADF International also said social services in Hassleholm are now pursuing permanent separation, including adoption.
“We deeply regret the Court’s decision to reject this case, considering that this family has been torn apart for over three years despite a full investigation that cleared Mr. and Mrs. Samson of any abuse and the fact that the Social Services certified their capacity and fitness for parenting after they successfully completed an official training,” said Guillermo A. Morales Sancho, legal counsel for ADF International. “Families should be free to live according to their convictions without fear of losing their children to the state.”
The European Court of Human Rights said it reviews cases individually and does not comment on broader matters.
The European Court of Human Rights ruled on March 10 that the application filed by Daniel and Bianca Samson was “inadmissible,” a decision that cannot be appealed. The court said the case failed to meet procedural requirements, including the need to exhaust legal remedies within Sweden.
The couple’s daughters have been separated from them since December 2022, according to Alliance Defending Freedom International, which supported the case. The legal group says the situation started after the family’s eldest daughter made an abuse allegation at school following a dispute over household rules, including restrictions on smartphone use and makeup.
ADF International said the allegation was later withdrawn and prosecutors found no evidence of abuse, but Swedish authorities did not return the children. Instead, officials cited the family’s religious practices, including attending church three times a week, as part of concerns over what was described as “religious extremism.”
The parents later completed required parenting courses and were deemed fit, but they still have not regained custody. There have been efforts to relocate the children to foster care in Romania, the family’s home country, though those attempts were denied.
The court “deemed the case inadmissible on the grounds of failure to exhaust legal remedies in Sweden,” ADF International said, despite the Swedish Supreme Court declining to hear the case in 2025.
“We love our children. We trusted Sweden to protect them — and when the truth emerged, we expected our daughters to come home,” Daniel Samson said in a statement. “Yet they remain away from us, and their mental health continues to deteriorate.”
ADF International also said social services in Hassleholm are now pursuing permanent separation, including adoption.
“We deeply regret the Court’s decision to reject this case, considering that this family has been torn apart for over three years despite a full investigation that cleared Mr. and Mrs. Samson of any abuse and the fact that the Social Services certified their capacity and fitness for parenting after they successfully completed an official training,” said Guillermo A. Morales Sancho, legal counsel for ADF International. “Families should be free to live according to their convictions without fear of losing their children to the state.”
The European Court of Human Rights said it reviews cases individually and does not comment on broader matters.
