An Everett mother is at her daughter’s bedside after the 13-year-old was hospitalized in critical condition following a suicide attempt.
The teen, identified in a GoFundMe campaign as Maya, was hospitalized late last week after her mother, Sarah Torell, found her and began CPR before rushing her from hospital to hospital in a desperate effort to save her life, organizers said.
Maya is now being treated in the intensive care unit at Seattle Children’s Hospital, where she remains surrounded by medical equipment and a team of doctors, the GoFundMe states.
The campaign was organized by Lindsey Roche on Torell’s behalf to help cover medical-related expenses, lost income, transportation, meals, and other costs while Torell remains at the hospital full time.
“Right now, Sarah should only have one job: being there for her daughter,” Roche wrote in the GoFundMe. “No parent should have to worry about finances while their child is fighting for their life.”
According to the fundraiser, Torell has not left her daughter’s side since the incident, as Maya continues to receive round-the-clock care. The page emphasizes that the family is facing not only emotional strain but also mounting financial pressure tied to extended hospitalization and missed work.
An update shared Sunday, Feb. 8, provided a cautiously hopeful glimpse into Maya’s recovery. The fundraiser said Maya’s brothers were able to visit her for the first time in nearly a month, a moment described as emotional and deeply meaningful for the family.
The update also said Maya has begun physical therapy, achieving small but significant milestones, including lifting her head on her own during floor exercises and turning her head toward her mother the following day, despite visible fatigue.
Doctors are now working to wean Maya off bypass support and morphine, with plans to transfer her out of the pediatric intensive care unit, organizers said. While the transition brings new uncertainties, the family said they are choosing to focus on progress and gratitude for the support they have received.
The fundraiser also highlights broader concerns about pediatric mental health, noting that children can struggle silently even when outward signs are not obvious. “Mental health crises do not mean someone failed — it means a child was hurting,” the page states.
Roche described Maya as bright, funny, and deeply loved, writing that she has a way of lighting up rooms with her humor, quirks, and kindness. “She is not defined by this moment,” the fundraiser says.
Those interested in supporting the family can donate via GoFundMe here.
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