The family of a nine-year-old girl who was allegedly stabbed to death while playing outside have been forced to go into hiding over fears of further attacks. Lillia Valutyte was playing with her sister outside a cafe in the English market town of Boston, Lincolnshire, when she was allegedly attacked on Thursday, July 28.
Lithuanian national Deividas Skebas, 22, has been charged with the murder and will appear at Lincoln Magistrates' Court today. Another man was also arrested but has since been released without charge.
Mum Lina Savicke, her husband and their other daughter, aged five, have been relocated by police over fears of further attacks, according to the Mirror. It is believed that Lillia's death could be linked to a 'feud' over unpaid wages.
A source told The Sun : "The family are so, so worried. They have not been able to stay at home. They are worried whoever did this could still be out there.
"They are worried they could be a target. It is just so awful — they have the impossible task of trying to come to terms with the loss of Lilia. Then they still feel they need to protect their other little daughter.”
Lincolnshire Police said in a statement: "We have this evening charged 22-year-old Deividas Skebas with the murder of nine-year-old Lillia Valutyte. Lillia tragically died following an incident in Fountain Lane, Boston, at around 6.20pm on 28 July.
"She is believed to have suffered a stab wound. Her parents are being supported by specially trained officers, and we would urge for their privacy to be respected at this particularly difficult time.
"Their welfare continues to be a priority for us." Lincolnshire Police launched a huge manhunt after Lillia was stabbed on Thursday.
She and her sister were reportedly playing with a hula-hoop outside a café where her mum was working when the tragedy took place. Her mother was said to have rushed to her daughter’s side immediately after the alleged stabbing.
Officers initially arrested two men, however, both were released with no further action. Lincolnshire Police then released CCTV images of a man they wished to question in relation to the case.
Officers later reportedly received a tip-off and descended on Tunnard Street, in Boston, to arrest a man. The suspect reportedly fled through gardens before being snared in a nearby street at around 2.45pm on Saturday.
Neighbours were left in shock in the aftermath of Lillia’s death. One resident described the incident as a "parent's worst nightmare".
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