The Kowalski family’s story starts with a rare illness. It ends in a courtroom, a body bag, and a crusade.
This doc landed on Andy Meek’s “20 of the best Netflix documentaries, ranked by IMDb” (BGR).
Trailer for “Take Care of Maya”
You Can’t Make This Sh!t Up
- Maya Kowalski was placed under state custody and not allowed to hug or even touch her mom (Beata). After 87 days apart, Beata died by suicide. She left behind a note blaming the system that took her daughter away.
Watch “Take Care of Maya”
You can watch “Take Care of Maya” on Netflix.
Ratings:
- My Rating: 93/100
- IMDB Rating: 7.7/10
- Rotten Tomatoes Ratings: 93/100 (Users); 93/100 (Critics)
Director’s Note: This 103-minute doc was directed by Henry Roosevelt, who’s best known for “The Weekly: The Gallagher Effect.” Here, he keeps the storytelling laser-focused on Maya and Beata’s voices, relying heavily on their own documentation—texts, home videos, medical records—letting the family speak for themselves without traditional narration. The result is haunting and powerful.
Release Date: “Take Care of Maya” was released June 19, 2023, as a Netflix Original documentary.
My Review of “Take Care of Maya”
The Setup
Maya Kowalski was just 10 years old when her body suddenly erupted in pain. Her mom, Beata, fought for her to receive ketamine infusions to treat CRPS. –sometimes in high doses not available in most U.S. hospitals.
When Maya had a flare-up, they brought her to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. Within days, doctors accused Beata of child abuse, and Maya was put into state custody with no physical contact allowed.
Beata took her own life 87 days later. The family is still fighting for justice.
This doc walks you through the entire case with court footage, hospital interviews, and never-before-seen personal materials. It’s not just a medical mystery—it’s a story of power, grief, and how easy it is to lose everything when the system decides you’re the problem.
More Highlights from the Doc
- After accusing Maya’s mom of Munchausen by proxy, the hospital testified that Maya didn’t have CRPS. And they then billed the family’s insurance for 174 services related to CRPS.
- The documentary uses Beata’s actual emails, text messages, and videos to narrate her point of view, even after her death.
- Beata Googled “how to survive suicide of a parent” for Maya before she ultimately took her own life. Showing just how traumatized she knew her daughter would be.
- It explains CRPS, a little-understood condition often described as “the most painful disease known to man,” and how ketamine therapy is sometimes the only thing that helps.
- Beata was a registered nurse and documented everything. The family had binders of evidence and meticulously tracked Maya’s treatment. But it still wasn’t enough to counter hospital accusations.
- The family is seen preparing a major lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. It could have far-reaching implications for parental rights and medical authority.
- The doc includes interviews with other families who say they were similarly mistreated by the hospital, suggesting a broader pattern of overreach.
Lesser-Known Details from the Doc
- The doc quietly shows the burden on Jack Kowalski, Maya’s father, who went from co-parent to single parent in a matter of months, all while fighting the legal system.
- During the court case, hospital staff had private phone calls with the judge—off the record—raising questions about ethics and due process.
Wrap Up
This one will stay with you. If you have kids—or have ever questioned medical authority—it’s a must-watch.
Thanks for reading!
Heather Fenty, Guest Writer, Daily Doc