“Take Care of Maya,” a Netflix documentary released on June 19, 2023, follows the events surrounding Maya Kowalski, her parents Beata and Jack, and the heartbreaking aftermath of the state of Florida taking Maya away from her family. The film chronicles the challenges they faced in 2015 and 2016 when Maya’s health began to deteriorate, leading to a complex and mysterious illness.
Maya, only nine years old at the time, experienced a range of symptoms including respiratory problems, body aches, lethargy, body lesions, headaches, blurred vision, and difficulty walking. Despite numerous medical visits, the family struggled to find answers. Beata, a determined mother and nurse, made it her mission to uncover the cause of Maya’s suffering. Finally, a doctor appeared to have insight into Maya’s condition and a potential treatment plan.
However, in 2016, the family’s world was turned upside down when Maya had to be rushed to the hospital. This event marked a significant turning point in their lives, as depicted in the documentary “Take Care of Maya” on Netflix.
The documentary focuses on the story of Maya and her mother, Beata, who played a vital role in her daughter’s care. Beata, a Polish immigrant who worked hard to become a nurse after arriving in the U.S., was deeply involved in managing Maya’s complex regional pain syndrome. Maya required a daily dose of ketamine to alleviate her symptoms, which included widespread pain and asthma. However, in 2016, Maya experienced a relapse with severe stomach pain, leading her to be admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for further treatment.
At the hospital, doctors expressed concern about the level of ketamine in Maya’s system, referring to her as “ketamine girl” in text messages. They wanted to discontinue the treatment, but Beata insisted on its continuation, which raised suspicion. Beata’s assertive behavior, coupled with the doctors’ concerns, prompted the involvement of a social worker who ultimately accused Beata of having “mental issues.”
Sally Smith, a pediatrician brought in to evaluate the case, diagnosed Beata with Munchausen by proxy, suggesting that she had intentionally made Maya sick. As a result, Maya was taken into state custody, and her contact with her parents was severely limited.
Tragically, just three months after the accusations against her, Beata died by suicide in January 2017, leaving behind a devastating aftermath.
The documentary explores the profound impact of these events on Maya, her family, and all those who have witnessed their story, raising questions and igniting outrage.
Why did Beata Kowalski kill herself?
On October 7, 2016, Maya was rushed to the emergency room of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, due to severe stomach pain caused by her advanced complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). Both of her parents did their best to explain the complex nature of her condition to the pediatric staff on call. However, Beata insisted that her 10-year-old daughter be administered a high dose of ketamine, which raised concerns among the professionals because ketamine is primarily an anesthetic.
As a result of these concerns, a staff member contacted social services, and a Child Abuse Investigator became involved in the case. The investigator conducted brief interviews and, within days, accused Beata of severe abuse, suggesting she had Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy (MSP). This disorder involves a caretaker fabricating or causing symptoms in order to make their ward appear ill. However, a subsequent psychological evaluation conducted in the following week proved that Beata had not fabricated Maya’s condition.
Despite this evaluation, a district court had already ordered Maya to remain hospitalized under state custody to explore alternative treatments and keep her separated from her parents. Initially, neither Beata nor Jack was granted visitation rights. Eventually, Jack was allowed to see his daughter, but Beata could only speak to her over the phone. This situation was devastating for Beata, and her anguish intensified when a judge denied her permission to give her ailing 10-year-old daughter a simple hug after being apart for 87 days.
Following her suicide, a drafted email written by Beata was discovered, where she expressed her love for Maya and her despair over being separated from her. She could no longer bear the pain of being away from her daughter and being treated like a criminal, witnessing her daughter’s suffering and deterioration.
