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Christian father says Sweden ‘kidnapped’ his children, branded family ‘religious extremists’
A Christian father in Europe says his family’s life has been “destroyed” after Swedish authorities took his two daughters over three years ago following a false abuse allegation.
Daniel and Bianca Samson have been fighting to regain custody of their daughters, Sara and Tiana, who were 11 and 10 years old when they were seized by Sweden’s social services and placed in foster care in December 2022.
Daniel Samson told Fox News Digital that the girls were taken after Sara made an abuse allegation at school after an argument over her parents’ refusal to let her wear makeup or have a cell phone.
“They literally kidnapped the girls from school,” he said.
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Even after Sara reportedly retracted the statement and police dropped the investigation after finding no evidence of abuse, the government agency refused to return the girls.
Samson alleged that authorities then shifted their focus to the family’s Christian faith.
“As soon as you mention God, as soon as you try to leave following Christian values, you have a target on your back. And once they take your children back, they will never let go,” he said.
In court, Samson said officials labeled the parents “religious extremists” to justify their separation. He said lawyers used their parenting choices against them, such as the girls not being allowed to paint their nails, the lack of a television in the home, and the reading of Bible stories, which he said authorities called “violent.”
The family, originally from Romania, had unsuccessfully petitioned to have the girls moved to Romanian foster care to keep the family unit closer together. Since being placed in state care, Samson said his daughters’ physical and mental health have deteriorated.
Samson shared videos with Fox News Digital of his daughters pleading to be reunited with their family and of his eldest daughter describing her suicide attempts while in state care. He also alleged the girls had been given antidepressants against their will and that Sara witnessed a sexual assault while in a state-run facility.
In Samson’s view, the legal system favors social services as “the experts” and parents have little recourse in custody cases. He claimed the agency wins the vast majority of cases in Sweden, making it nearly impossible for families to find legal representation willing to challenge the state.
One 2017 study of Swedish administrative court verdicts found that when social services petitioned for compulsory care based on allegations of violence, the court granted the request 90% of the time and 78% approval in all other cases.
Despite receiving positive feedback from state-mandated parenting courses, Samson said the agency told the court they had “not the smallest single good thing” to say about the family to justify returning the children.
Over the past three years, Samson says their family has lost 14 times in court.
In March, the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) ruled their case “inadmissible,” a final decision that cannot be appealed. The decision came after he said authorities cut off all in-person visits in December and all video contact last month.
Samson said authorities have also expressed intentions to change the girls’ names, a move he fears is a precursor to adoption.
“They told me, ‘You give false hope to your children because you tell them they’re coming home, and we have no intention of giving them back,'” Samson said. “I told them, I’m their parent, and I’ll never stop fighting for them.”
He has been outspoken about his family’s case on social media and alleges their story is not unique but part of a systemic problem in Sweden.
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“In Sweden, we have written to all the members of the parliament, to all the institutions that could do something to all the media outlets, televisions, newspapers, radios,” Samson said. “This has been done multiple times with ample evidence and nobody talks about it because everybody is afraid that [their] child could be next.”
Sweden’s social services told Fox News Digital it could not comment on individual cases.
Sweden’s government has previously pushed back against claims that it “kidnaps” children or targets religious families, labeling such accusations part of a “disinformation campaign.”
The Ministry of Health and Social Affairs stated in November 2022 that a decision to remove a child is “always based on a significant risk of harm to the child’s health or development.” Officials maintain that the goal is to reunite children with parents once care is completed, provided it is in the child’s best interest.
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Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and Minister for Social Services Camilla Waltersson Grönvall also disputed “kidnapping” claims in a February 6, 2023, press release calling for stronger penalties against those who threaten or insult public officials.
The Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare also denies that religion is a basis for removal, stating that cases are based solely on the child’s safety and development.
“No, religion is no basis for a child being placed in care. A decision to take a child away from their parents or guardians must always be based on there being a significant risk of harm to the child’s health or development. It can either be the situation in the family home or the child’s or young person’s own behavior that may be deemed harmful or dangerous,” the government agency says.
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Fan spotted with laptop, apparently logging work hours from Wrigley Field stands during Cubs day game
The Chicago Cubs opened the 2026 season with a six-game homestand at historic Wrigley Field.
Among the thousands of Cubs fans who passed through the turnstiles at the famed ballpark on Chicago’s North Side was at least one who took Wednesday’s “businessman’s special” afternoon start to heart.
Temperatures in the Windy City didn’t climb above 40 degrees Wednesday, and one fan, bundled in a coat and hat, multitasked on his cellphone and laptop, apparently working after the 2 p.m. first pitch.
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The moment mirrors one from last season, when cameras caught a fan who, instead of winter gear, wore shorts and worked on his computer during an August 2025 game at Wrigley Field.
The fan even brought a computer mouse along as he intently focused on his computer while the Cubs faced the Milwaukee Brewers.
The game broadcasters, however, questioned what he was up to.
“There’s only one question: Is this guy working?” one broadcaster said. “Or maybe he’s reviewing his fantasy football draft.”
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The Cubs’ broadcast network crafted a tongue-in-cheek work email: “Hi, per our last email, we have a hard stop. Let’s touch base Friday before the Cubs-Guardians game. All the best, Marquee.”
The Cubs celebrated a 6-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday to take two of three games in the series. Matthew Boyd struck out ten batters and picked up the win.
The Cubs were off on Thursday and resume action on Friday in Cleveland as they open a three-game series with the Guardians.
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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., claimed it was “not fair” to argue that Senate Democrats were holding up Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding for “political posturing” on Thursday.
Schumer spoke to CNN’s “Situation Room” about the ongoing Department of Homeland Security shutdown after Senate Democrats demanded tighter restrictions on Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP).
Though the shutdown has caused disruptions within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), ICE and Border Patrol have been largely unaffected after previously receiving funding last year in the One Big Beautiful Bill, leading Blitzer to ask Schumer what the purpose of the shutdown was.
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“What do you say to those critics who argue that both ICE and Border Patrol are already set with funding millions and millions of dollars because of President [Donald] Trump‘s so-called Big Beautiful Bill that passed months ago?” Blitzer asked. “So Democrats just held up this legislation for what? For political posturing? Is that right?”
“Well, that‘s not fair at all,” Schumer answered. “We held it up because we wanted, as I mentioned before, to reform ICE and CBP, which are lawless. The American people are totally on our side. I think by 2 to 1 or close to that, they want it reformed. And that‘s what we‘re pushing for. We‘re not going to fund a lawless ICE and a lawless CBP, and the American people are overwhelmingly on our side on that.”
“But they‘re already funded. Right?” Blitzer repeated.
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“Well, if they put funding in from their other bills and want to keep funding a lawless ICE, a lawless CBP that creates chaos in our cities, it‘s on their back. We‘re not going to participate in that,” Schumer responded.
Last week, Trump signed an executive order providing pay to TSA agents, many of whom had not received a paycheck since February. Despite the strain on workers, Schumer refused to give Trump credit for the order.
“We‘ve been trying to do it for three weeks, and Trump has opposed it. We proposed funding all of those other agencies, not ICE and CBP, until they reform, but all the other agencies. And they said no. And so, the best way to get them paid was for [Speaker Mike] Johnson to put the bill that the Senate passed this morning with [GOP Senate Majority Leader John] Thune‘s leadership on the floor, and we pass it,” Schumer said.
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In a comment to Fox News Digital, a Thune spokesperson pointed to comments the Majority Leader made earlier on “America’s Newsroom.”
“[For] Democrats…it was all about ‘reforms,’ restrictions on ICE and on CBP agents and what they could or couldn’t do. They got none of that. They got zero of the reforms that they were advocating for. In the end, this was all about their left-wing base demanding that no funding be provided,” Thune said.
The Senate agreed via voice vote on Thursday to send a bipartisan deal funding the whole of DHS except for Trump’s immigration enforcement and border security efforts to the House for consideration. The chamber is not expected to vote on the legislation until House lawmakers return to Washington on April 13.
As Tiger Woods steps away from golf and won’t be playing in the Masters next week, another golf legend won’t be on the grounds at Augusta National Golf Club.
Three-time Masters champion Phil Mickelson released a statement Thursday saying he won’t be playing in this year’s tournament.
“Unfortunately, I will not play in the Masters Tournament next week and will be out for an extended period of time as my family continues to navigate a personal health matter,” Mickelson’s statement on social media said.
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“I wish everyone the best of luck and will be watching.”
Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley also released a statement after Mickelson’s decision.
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“We know how much Phil loves the Masters tournament, and he will be missed by everyone in Augusta next week,” Ridley’s statement said. “He has our complete supports as he takes time to be with his family.”
The 55-year-old Mickelson missed four LIV Golf events earlier this year, and he noted he was dealing with a “family health matter.”
He was on the course in South Africa two weeks ago, leading his HyFlyers GC squad for the event. Mickelson finished tied for 48 in the event.
Mickelson’s Masters announcement comes after Woods stepped away from golf “to seek treatment” following a DUI arrest after a rollover crash Friday in Jupiter Island, Florida.
Woods, a 15-time major winner and five-time Masters champion, and Mickelson sat atop the golf world, beginning in the late 1990s and through the 2010s. While Woods usually sat atop the world golf rankings, Mickelson was his toughest competitor, winning six majors over his storied career.
So, two golf icons won’t be at Augusta National come next week, when the 90th edition of the Masters tees off Thursday, April 9.
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