Featured Image Credit: Netflix
Topics: True Crime, US News, Netflix
Dominic Smithers
Since the harrowing documentary Take Care of Maya landed on Netflix, it's been branded one of 'the most gut-wrenching' things people have seen in a long while.
The film follows the story of Jack and Beata Kowalski's daughter Maya, who suddenly began suffering from a mysterious condition that left her in agony.
For no apparent reason, the young girl's feet began to turn inwards and her skin felt as if it was on fire.
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After seeking professional help, in 2015, Maya was diagnosed with CRPS (Complex regional pain syndrome), with a doctor prescribing her ketamine.
But after she relapsed and her parents took her to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital a year later, Beata was accused of abuse.
Here's the synopsis: "As the medical team tried to understand her rare illness, they began to question the basic truths that bound the Kowalskis together. Suddenly, Maya was in state custody – despite two parents who were desperate to bring their daughter home.
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"The story of the Kowalski family – as told in their own words – will change the way you look at children’s healthcare forever."
Maya Kowalski, who is now 17, was placed under the custody of the state for three months after doctors accused her parents of faking the illness.
Staff at the hospital claimed that Beata had a condition called Munchausen by proxy (MSP), which involves parents or guardians creating fictitious symptoms for fake illnesses.
A psychological evaluation found Beata did not have the illness.
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Following the ordeal, Beata tragically took her own life, and now, her family are suing Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital for $55 million in compensatory and $165m in punitive damages.
The case has been lodged on behalf of the family by AndersonGlenn LLP, with a trial date set for September this year.
Speaking about the case, Gregory Anderson, who focuses on corporate and commercial litigation, said it was a horrifying story.
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He claims that the handling of Maya's case had an 'irreparable' impact on her as well as her dad Jack and brother Kyle.
He told the Daily Mail: "The horrific events from the October 7, 2016, admission through Maya's release on January 14, 2017, have been well-documented.
"These events amount to an abduction, incarceration and abuse of a 10-year-old girl.
"Her parents were irreparably defamed and damaged.
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"Beata took her own life to free her daughter from 'care' by Johns Hopkins. The resulting litigation has been the worst I've seen."
Mr Anderson added: "We were retained in the fall of 2017 and sent our first demand letters for information in December. We filed suit in 2018 - that was five years ago, five years of brutal litigation.
"The Kowalskis have incurred millions in legal fees and costs. Maya, Jack and Kyle will need medical care and therapy for the rest of their lives."
TYLA has contacted Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital for comment.