Christian father says Sweden 'kidnapped' his children, branded family ‘religious extremists’

Christian father Daniel Samson warns other families about Sweden's child welfare system after losing all contact with his children and facing permanent separation. A Christian father in Europe says his family's life has been "destroyed" after Swedish authorities took custody of his two daughters over three years ago after 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 taken by Sweden’s social services and placed in foster care in December 2022. Daniel Samson told Fox News Digital 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 cellphone. "They literally kidnapped the girls from school," he said. Daniel and Bianca Samson with their children at church. (Daniel Samson) MAINE MOM ASKS SUPREME COURT TO STEP IN AFTER SCHOOL ALLEGEDLY HID CHILD’S GENDER TRANSITION 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 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." Daniel and Bianca Samson's two daughters, Sara, 11, and Tiana, 10, were taken into custody by the Swedish government on allegations of "religious extremism" after the elder daughter made a false report at school that she later retracted because she was not allowed to wear makeup or have a cellphone. (Alliance Defending Freedom International) MASSACHUSETTS DEFENDS DENYING CATHOLIC COUPLE FOSTER LICENSE EVEN AFTER REVISING GENDER-IDENTITY POLICY 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.