The ongoing court case involving former adult film star Emily Willis may collapse if her mother, Yesenia Cooper, fails to meet a 30-day deadline to provide additional evidence supporting her claims.
Willis, whose real name is Litzy Lara Banuelos, suffered a cardiac arrest while seeking treatment at the Summit Malibu rehabilitation center in early 2024. Once a prominent figure in the adult entertainment industry, the 26-year-old is now reportedly in a “vegetative state,” displaying symptoms consistent with locked-in syndrome. She is unable to move or speak but remains conscious and can move her eyes.
Cooper filed a lawsuit late last year, alleging that Summit Malibu’s negligence and inadequate care led to her daughter’s irreversible condition. The suit claims Willis was suffering from severe mental health conditions, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, and that her health was ignored until it was too late. In February 2024, Willis suffered a cardiac arrest, and paramedics performed CPR for 40 minutes before regaining her pulse. She has since been declared permanently disabled.
Despite the serious nature of the allegations, Summit Malibu’s legal team has requested that the court strike parts of the complaint, arguing that it lacks sufficient factual evidence. Santa Monica Superior Court Judge Mark A. Young has ordered Cooper to revise her complaint to include specific details proving that her daughter was a dependent adult and that the facility had a legal duty to meet her basic needs.
Court documents emphasize that the existing allegations do not establish clear facts showing a custodial or caretaking relationship. Cooper now has 30 days to amend the suit with more substantial information, or the case may be dismissed.
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