Former adult entertainer Emily Willis, whose real name is Litzy Lara Banuelo, remains permanently disabled following a cardiac arrest while at a rehabilitation center in 2024.
At 26 years old, Willis has been left in a state that has drastically altered her life.
Her mother, Yesenia Cooper, has filed a lawsuit against the rehab facility, Summit Malibu, as well as its parent company, Malibu Lighthouse Treatment Centers.
The lawsuit, filed in December 2024, accuses the facility of “abuse of a dependent adult, professional negligence, negligence, and fraudulent business practices.”
Legal Insights Into Emily Willis’ Condition
James A. Morris, Jr., the legal representative for Emily and her mother, has shed new light on Willis’ condition amidst the ongoing legal battle.
Speaking to The Mirror US, Morris shared that the 26-year-old is currently confined to bed due to neurological injuries sustained during the medical incident. “She remains bedridden due to her neurological injuries,” Morris confirmed.
While Willis is unable to speak, she can still make noises and has some limited ability to move her body.
Morris explained: “She can move her body somewhat,” offering a glimmer of hope amidst the overwhelming challenges she faces.
Willis is currently being cared for by her mother in Utah, as her health condition continues to be a central issue in the family’s legal case.
The Legal Battle: Court Hearings and Upcoming Trial
The lawsuit is set to move forward with a trial scheduled for May 6, 2026, in Santa Monica.
Before the trial, additional hearings are set for February 2026.
The latest hearing took place on September 23, 2024, with a key event in February 2026 expected to focus on a “Hearing on Demurrer – with Motion to Strike.”
This motion will allow the judge to review Summit Malibu’s request to have the case dismissed, a motion they filed in late August 2024.
Summit Malibu, however, has denied the allegations of neglect.
They argue that Emily’s mother failed to provide adequate details during a previous hearing in June 2024, particularly regarding the claims of elder or dependent abuse.
Furthermore, Summit Malibu contends that they lacked the authority to transfer Willis to a hospital without her consent, citing in their filing that Willis had refused to follow medical recommendations and take her prescribed medications.
Summit Malibu’s response also stated that Willis had declined to seek urgent care or go to the hospital, despite being encouraged to do so by the facility.
Controversial Claims Surrounding Medical Negligence
Emily’s legal team has claimed that Summit Malibu’s actions were grossly negligent, particularly in failing to recognize the severity of Willis’ condition when she first arrived at the facility.
In January 2024, Willis entered Summit Malibu seeking treatment for anorexia, weighing only 100 pounds. According to Morris, Emily had not sought help for ketamine use at the time, as she had stopped using the drug prior to her admission.
Morris claims that the facility failed to address Willis’ deteriorating health and should have transferred her to a hospital sooner.
“They should’ve transferred her to a hospital earlier and let the doctors put a feeding tube in her and treat her properly while she was still (coherent) and speaking and walking,” he said.
“Instead, they allowed her to have a say in her medical treatment, which is not what you do with somebody who is in severe health danger. She was in a very brittle place.”
Cardiac Arrest and the Aftermath
The situation took a tragic turn in February 2024 when Emily Willis was found unresponsive at the facility.
According to the lawsuit, a nurse performed CPR on her for three minutes before paramedics arrived. After a prolonged attempt to revive her, which lasted 30-40 minutes, paramedics were able to restore her pulse.
Though the exact time Willis had been unconscious before being discovered remains unclear, it is known that she suffered an anoxic brain injury, a condition caused by oxygen deprivation, which has led to her current paralysis and permanent disability.
In 2025, Morris revealed that doctors were concerned that Willis might be suffering from locked-in syndrome, a rare neurological disorder that leaves patients conscious but almost completely paralyzed, with only eye movements being possible.
While Willis has not yet received a formal diagnosis, Morris confirmed that locked-in syndrome is being considered as a potential condition. He added that doctors were awaiting further medical records and a review of her condition by the neurologist in charge.
