Maya Kowalski, the subject of Netlfix’s Take Care of Maya documentary, was pictured partying days after attorneys said she was in too much pain to attend court during her family’s civil trial against a Florida hospital.
As the medical abuse trial nears verdict, the teen is experiencing backlash as lawyers argue that the shots of her socializing contradicted her claims of intense pain.
Take Care of Maya teen Maya Kowalski trial nears verdict
Maya Kowalski has previously taken the stand in court during her family’s civil trial against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Florida.
However, the Kowalski family lawyer Gregory Anderson told the media the teen was not present for testimony of Dr. Sally Smith, the child abuse pediatrician who investigated her case due to her health.
The haunting case culminated in Maya Kowalski’s mother’s suicide and was featured in a Netflix documentary titled Take Care of Maya.
In a saga chronicled in the hit documentary, Kowalski’s mother admitted her then-10-year-old daughter to the hospital in 2015. She was diagnosed with a neuropathic disorder and was treated with ketamine.
Beata Kowalski reportedly later returned to the hospital telling doctors that her daughter required more ketamine treatments to ease her symptoms.
Skeptical about Beata Kowalski’s demands, Florida child welfare authorities were alerted by staff, who removed Maya from her parents’ care and made her a medical ward of the state.
After being barred from seeing her daughter for more than 80 days and facing child abuse allegations, Beata Kowalski sadly took her own life.
Alleging that the hospital wrongfully committed Maya and cruelly separated her from her mother, the Kowalski family is suing the facility for $220 million, as per New York Post reports.
Maya Kowalski, the subject of Netlfix’s “Take Care of Maya” documentary, took the stand Monday in her family’s civil trial against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Kowalski emotionally recalled the last time she saw her mom, Beata Kowalski, before she took her own life in the garage of their family home. “I never saw her again,” Kowalski tearfully said. Kowalski testified she was kept away from her mother and father while being treated at the hospital, stating staff kept her separated from her parents. #TakeCareOfMaya #MayaKowalski #Kowalski #Trial #JohnsHopkins
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Maya Kowalski pictured partying instead of attending court
Maya Kowalski was pictured socializing just days after her attorneys said she was in too much pain to appear at the trial.
On Friday, October 27, her lawyer told reporters that the emotional impact of the trial on Maya Kowalski had seen her develop lesions relating to her Complex Regional Pain Syndrome diagnosis, reports Court TV.
The pain had reportedly become so severe, that Kowalski was unable to attend the trial for several days.
However, lawyers for Johns Hopkins All Medical Center had alleged social media pictures appearing to show Kowalski was well enough to socialize with several friends. They argued on Tuesday the shots contradicted her claims of intense pain.
Speaking outside of court, Gregory Anderson said that the stress of the trial is impacting Maya Kowalski's health, causing lesions. https://t.co/qoTFStkQBf
— Court TV (@CourtTV) October 27, 2023View Tweet
Take Care of Maya teen is facing backlash
Lawyers for the defense introduced photos into evidence, some taken from Instagram, reportedly showing Maya Kowalski attending a Halloween party and a homecoming event.
The teen can be in the Halloween picture wearing a two-piece outfit while smiling. In another photograph, she is sporting a dress while riding in a limousine.
Defense attorney Ethen Shapiro said in reference to the pictures that the court had been told that since Kowalski’s hospitalization, she has been unable to live a normal teenager’s life.
While speaking about the images Shapiro said to the judge: “This is the life of Maya Kowalski today. We did not aggravate a preexisting condition. She’s at her prom, she’s out in heels, has friends – it’s in complete contradiction to her testimony.”
Kowalski’s attorneys argued the photos were inadmissible, but the judge did admit several into evidence.
The trial continues.
If you are affected by any issues raised in the article or would like someone to speak to, please call the Samaritans for free on 116 123. You can also email them at [email protected] or visit samaritans.org to find your nearest branch in the UK. In the US, please visit Samaritans USA for more information.
You can also contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or text 741741 to get in touch with the Crisis Text Line. Americans can now call or text 988 to reach out and speak to a counsellor.
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