“Take Care of Maya” Trial: Doctors Explain Suspicions of Munchausen Syndrome by Proxy

VENICE, Fla. The fourth week of the “Take Care of Maya” trial began Monday at the Sarasota County Courthouse with another group of doctors testifying for the defense.

The case involves a Venice family’s $220 million lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital over the treatment of their daughter, Maya Kowalski.

Doctors testified Monday about why they had several concerns about the nature of Maya’s illness and why they suspected her mother, Beata, of Munchausen syndrome by proxy.

The defense, with its witnesses, attempted to establish that Maya Kowalski did not suffer from complex regional pain syndrome. Lawyers argued that it was instead a case of Munchausen syndrome by proxy in Beata, which caused her to amplify her daughter’s illness.

One doctor said he raised suspicions about Maya’s overmedication and a neurological component of her illness to her treating doctor at least a year before she was taken to Johns Hopkins Children’s Hospital.

“From my reading of the documents I received before his second visit, I can only use words that don’t match,” said Dr. Elvin Mendez, the first witness to appear.

Dr. Mendez, an allergy and immunology specialist, said he saw Maya first in October 2015 and then for a follow-up in December 2015.

He said Beata brought her daughter in to get a second opinion on immunodeficiency issues. He also said that Ms. Kowalski provided him with very detailed records of Maya’s medical history, but he still requested the records from other doctors to review for himself.

“I was concerned about Munchhausen syndrome by proxy at the time because the symptoms from the physical exam, the objective tests that I looked at in the medical records did not match the story that I was getting from Mom ” Mendez said.

According to Mendez, Maya’s blood tests and other checks showed that she had a normal immune system and indicated that something else, perhaps a psychological component, might be contributing to her illness.

He also added that he was concerned about claims that Maya had “severe asthma” because they were inconsistent.

“We have a person with severe asthma admitted to the hospital for a few days and comes out with a normal breath test and completely normal spirometry. The lungs just don’t work that way,” he said. he declares.

Mendez also said he did not contact the child abuse hotline because he did not have Maya’s full medical history to make such a serious report. Instead, he raised concerns about the medications Maya was using with her treating doctors, but didn’t get a response.

“The numerous steroids used, in inhaled, oral and injectable form, during various ER visits, from clinic visit providers, and in fact she had access, I believe, to steroids at home that she could provide it,” Mendez said.

As Kowalski’s mother Beata searched for answers to her daughter’s illness, the hospital’s defense in the case was that staff acted in the best interests of Maya, then 10, by weaning off medications and following orders from the Department of Health. Children and families by keeping her separated from her mother for 87 days.

“The allegation against us is that we created his mindset. The model and practice of therapeutic and maternal care was dangerous for the child and that is why reports were made and suspicions emerged,” said Howard Hunter, the hospital’s lead attorney. .

“Even if the defense were allowed to present all this evidence, they can’t close the loop, because they don’t have an expert on causation. They don’t have an expert, they don’t have a adult psychiatrist,” said Nick Whitney, Kowalski’s court attorney. Family, said.

The family is suing the hospital for medical malpractice, battery and false imprisonment for keeping Maya away from them for 87 days.

They also accuse hospital staff of being responsible for the suicide of Maya’s mother, following allegations of child abuse.