Beata Kowalski Obituary – Death: Hospital Found Liable in Mother’s Suicide
Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital in Florida has been held responsible for the tragic death of Beata Kowalski, whose harrowing journey is documented in the Netflix film “Caring for Maya,” culminating in her suicide. The hospital faced multiple claims, including wrongful death, infliction of emotional distress, confinement, assault, and infliction of emotional distress on Beata, as well as fraudulent billing by Maya’s father, Jack Kowalski. The CourtTV, WFTS, and WTSP reported the live verdict, with the Kowalski family awarded over $211 million, as revealed by the Tampa Bay Times.
Maya, diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), faced a challenging battle against the rare neurological disease. In 2016, Beata sought ketamine treatment for Maya at Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital, prompting accusations of Munchausen syndrome. Despite a psychological examination disproving mental illness, Beata was separated from her family for over three months. Tragically, Beata took her own life in January 2017, just over two months after Maya’s passing.
In a discovered email, Beata expressed, “I’m sorry, but I can no longer bear the pain of being separated from Maya and being treated like a criminal. I couldn’t watch my daughter suffer and get worse.”
Following the verdict, defense attorney Howard Hunt, representing Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital, asserted their compliance with mandatory reporting laws. The statement emphasized their commitment to protecting vulnerable children and vowed to continue offering life-saving care to Maya Kowalski.
As Florida mandates reporting suspected child abuse, the hospital affirms its dedication to upholding the duty of mandated reporters while defending the crucial role of healthcare professionals in safeguarding the welfare of the smallest and most vulnerable members of society.
