Devastated Parents Sue Camp Operators Over Tragic Flooding Incident

The tragic disappearance of an 8-year-old girl during devastating flash floods in Texas has led to a lawsuit against the operators of Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp for girls. Will and CiCi Steward, whose daughter Cecilia “Cile” Steward went missing, are holding the Eastland family accountable, claiming negligence in evacuation procedures during the disastrous weather event last summer. The couple insists that better precautions could have saved their daughter’s life.

According to the lawsuit filed in Travis County, the Stewards dropped off their daughter for her first sleepaway camp experience on June 29, 2025, unaware that it would be their last moments with her. The camp, which had been attended by several generations of Cile’s family, is accused of failing to implement adequate safety measures, despite a long-standing history of flooding in the area.

The lawsuit highlights that the flooding from slow-moving thunderstorms on July 4 caused catastrophic conditions in Kerr County, resulting in the deaths of over 130 individuals, including 27 children and camp counselors. Tragically, the camp’s owner, Richard “Dick” Eastland, also perished in the disaster, reputedly while attempting to rescue campers from the flood.

Nevertheless, the Stewards argue that the Eastlands, specifically Dick’s son, Edward Eastland, delayed the evacuation of the campers, prioritizing the relocation of property over the safety of the children. Despite flood warnings, the camp’s emergency response plan was inadequate, allowing the children to remain in cabins until it was too late.

The lawsuit describes harrowing scenes as floodwaters seeped into the cabins, and the girls were instructed to climb to the top bunks. Despite pleas for divine intervention, the rising waters forced a desperate escape attempt involving an inflatable mattress, during which Cile was tragically swept away by the strong currents while trying to reach a tree where some survivors found refuge.

Facing these allegations, the Eastland family’s legal representative, Mikal Watts, emphasized the unexpected severity of the flooding, underscoring that the natural disaster exceeded prior records and was unforeseeable. Watts rebuked claims of negligence and assured that the accusations would be comprehensively addressed.

This lawsuit follows a previous suit filed in November by other affected families alleging negligence. Meanwhile, Camp Mystic has announced plans to resume operations at a different location, distancing itself from the site associated with the tragedy. Yet, the Stewards criticize this move, suggesting that the Eastland family is obscuring past failures and ignoring the camp’s historical flood risks.

The Stewards’ lawsuit points out the long-standing issue of floods in the area, juxtaposing the camp’s response to the biblical story of Noah, who prepared for such an event. The grieving family challenges the Eastlands’ narrative, asserting that the tragedy was preventable.