Content warning: this article contains subject matter some readers may find upsetting.
The latest documentary to hit Netflix, Take Care of Maya, has been dubbed one of 'the most gut-wrenching' things people have seen in quite some time.
The doc follows the harrowing true story of the nightmare that unfolds for parents Jack and Beata Kowalski, after they brought their 10-year-old daughter to the ER with unusual symptoms.
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Following the release of the film, viewers can read the heartbreaking final email Maya's mother, Beata, sent to her family before tragically taking her own life.
The Netflix series of tragic events first started when Jack and Beata's daughter, Maya, began suffering with chronic pain from early childhood.
Maya's feet began to turn inwards and her skin felt as if it was on fire and, after seeking professional help in 2015, she was diagnosed with CRPS (Complex regional pain syndrome).
A doctor prescribed the young girl high doses of ketamine, but when that failed to stop the chronic pain, the family travelled to Mexico so Maya could be put in a 'ketamine coma'.
While things started looking up for the child, they unfortunately took a turn when Maya relapsed, leading to her parents to take her to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, just a year later.
Maya's mother, a registered nurse, was then accused of medical child abuse against her daughter.
The child, just 10-years-old at the time, was later taken into state custody with Beata being prevented from seeing her.
Staff at the hospital claimed Beata had a condition called Munchausen by proxy (MSP) - a mental illness and form of child abuse where a parent makes up fake symptoms or causes real symptoms to make it look like the child is sick.
Maya, now 17, was placed under the custody of the state for three whole months during the time, even though a psychological evaluation found Beata did not have the illness.
Beata tragically ended up taking her own life after more than 87 days without her daughter, and died by suicide in January of 2017 at the age of 43.
The official synopsis for the film reads: "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.
"The story of the Kowalski family – as told in their own words – will change the way you look at children’s healthcare forever."
In an email discovered after her death, Beata wrote: "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 being away from Maya and being treated like a criminal.
"I cannot watch my daughter suffer in pain and keep getting worse."
Following the horrific ordeal, the Kowalski family are suing Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital for $55 million in compensatory and $165 million 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.
Take Care of Maya is available to watch on Netflix now.
If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact Cruse Bereavement Care via their national helpline on 0808 808 1677
Topics: TV And Film, Netflix, Documentaries, Mental Health
Rhiannon Ingle