MIAMI, FLORIDA: In a heart-wrenching documentary released on June 19, 2023, Netflix sheds light on the tumultuous journey of Maya Kowalski and her family. The film explores the events leading up to the state of Florida taking Maya away from her parents, Beata and Jack Kowalski, and the devastating aftermath.
Titled 'Take Care of Maya', the film delves into the challenges the family faced in 2015 and 2016, when Maya's health took a drastic turn, leaving them desperate for answers.
Maya's mysterious health issues
Maya, a nine-year-old girl at the time, began experiencing a series of health issues, including respiratory problems, body aches, lethargy, body lesions, headaches, blurred vision, and walking difficulties. Despite multiple doctor and hospital visits, the Kowalskis were unable to find a definitive diagnosis. Beata, a determined mother, and nurse, tirelessly sought answers, hoping to alleviate her daughter's suffering. However, their journey took an unexpected turn in 2016 when they found themselves rushing Maya to the hospital once again.
It was during this critical period that Dr Anthony Kirkpatrick diagnosed Maya with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a neurological disorder known to cause excruciating pain even from the lightest touch. Dr Kirkpatrick recommended a ketamine coma as a treatment, prompting the Kowalski family to travel to Mexico in November 2015 for the procedure. The treatment appeared to be successful, temporarily relieving Maya of her pain. However, she continued to require ketamine doses to manage her condition.
Alarming accusations and state intervention
A year later, Maya experienced debilitating stomach pain, prompting Beata and Jack to take her to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital. When the Kowalskis requested ketamine as a treatment option, the hospital staff became suspicious. After low dosages of ketamine failed to alleviate Maya's pain, they alerted child protective services, accusing Beata of child abuse and Munchausen syndrome by proxy, now known as 'factitious disorder imposed on another' (FDIA). The hospital staff believed that Beata was intentionally making Maya sick, leading the state of Florida to take custody of Maya, and separating her from her parents.
What is Munchausen by proxy?
Munchausen syndrome by proxy (MSP), or Munchausen by proxy, is a rare psychological disorder where a caregiver seeks attention by fabricating or exaggerating symptoms in a child under their care. The parent or caregiver's actions can worsen the child's condition, making it difficult for healthcare providers to determine the true cause. MSP involves deceptive behaviors such as lying about symptoms, manipulating tests, or even inducing harm to the child. Identifying and addressing MSP requires collaboration among medical professionals, child protective services, and mental health experts to ensure the child's safety.
Beata's tragic death
Maya's separation took an immense toll on Beata, as revealed in the documentary. Her husband, Jack, shared with People magazine that Beata "was deteriorating. She would stay up and research and hardly eat." Three months after the state took Maya away, a judge ruled that Maya should remain separated from Beata. Tragically, a few days later, in January 2017, Beata died by suicide at the age of 43.
In a poignant email she left behind, Beata implored, "Please take care of Maya and tell her how much I love her every day. I'm sorry, but I no longer can take the pain of being away from Maya and being treated like a criminal. I cannot watch my daughter suffer in pain and keep getting worse."
Following Beata's tragic death, the state released Maya back into Jack's custody. Prior to the release of the documentary, the Kowalski family filed a lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital, alleging that the false accusations of child abuse contributed to Beata's death. The trial is set to begin in September 2023, seeking justice and holding the hospital accountable for the devastating consequences that unfolded.
'Take Care of Maya', which shines a light on the untold story of the Kowalski family, is available to stream on Netflix.
