Where is Catherine Cathi Bedy From Netflix's Take Care of Maya Now?
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Content warning: The following piece contains mentions of suicide, abuse, and trauma and may be triggering for some. Reader discretion is advised.
If you or someone you know needs help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-TALK(8255) or visit their website.
Maya Kowalski was only 10 years old when she was admitted to Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in 2016 for symptoms from Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a rare illness that made her sensitive to stimuli of all kinds and that disabling pain radiated through her legs and feet, requiring the use of a wheelchair," as reported by The Cut. As seen in the new Netflix documentary Take Care of Maya, the medical team began to question her parents, Beata and Jack Kowalsk's, involvement in her illness after her mother suggested ketamine, a drug that had previously been prescribed to help alleviate Maya's symptoms. They believed the young girl was a victim of Munchausen syndrome by proxy, a condition in which a parent deliberately makes a child ill in order to reap sympathy and gratitude.
Hospital staffers later contacted the Department of Children and Families and Dr. Sally Smith, a child-abuse pediatrician. Social worker Catherine Cathi Bedy was eventually brought in to examine the situation, and Maya was put into state custody, where she was unable to see her parents for over three months.
Maya's mother, Beata's mental health began to decline, and in January 2017, she died by suicide. People shared an email Beata had written that was discovered after her death: "I 'm sorry, but I no longer can take the pain of being away from Maya and being treated like a criminal. I cannot watch my daughter suffer in pain and keep getting worse." Maya was released into her father's custody days later.
According to The Cut, the Kowalski family filed a lawsuit against the hospital, Child Abuse Pediatrician Dr. Sally Smith, All Children's Hospital, the Department of Children and Families Suncoacst Center Inc (a privatized health system that employed Smith), and Maya's social worker, Catherine “Cathi” Bedy. Bedy's role in Maya's hospitalization and subsequent lawsuit has left viewers wondering where she is now. Read ahead for everything we know about where Cathi Bedy is now.
Who is Catherine "Cathi" Bedy?
Prior to encountering Maya's family at All Children's Hospital, Bedy held a previous role managing foster-care children for Suncoast. The Tampa Bay Times reports that Bedy was arrested on child abuse charges after she was accused of holding a 10-year-old to the ground and covering his face with a towel in June 2007. According to the outlet, Bedy "grabbed the boy's head, causing him to fall down," and "placed both knees on the boy's chest" before he turned red and said that he couldn't breathe. The Cut claims Bedy, in a court deposition, denied using her knees on the child. She also declined comment for the outlet's article.
According to The Cut, Bedy would escort Maya on afternoon walks on hospital grounds. The social worker declined several of Beata's FaceTime calls that were allowed as part of the state's shelter order. In January 2017, Bedy and a nurse reportedly entered Maya's room and told her to undress so that they could take photos of her body before a court proceeding. The Cut claims Maya refused to cooperate, and Bedy "began to forcibly remove her pants and shirts." Maya wrote a detailed description of the account in a legal filing.
So, where is Catherine Cathi Bedy now?
According to Cathi's LinkedIn profile, she lives in Clearwater, Florida, and is employed as a licensed clinical social worker at OBGYN Associates.
A judge determined that there was evidence for punitive damages for Kowalski's claims of battery and false imprisonment. Earlier this year, Suncoast and Smith settled their portion of the lawsuit for $2.5 million. The case against All Children's Hospital and Bedy will begin in September 2023.
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