Texas Parents Sue Camp Operators for Daughter’s Disappearance During Flood

The parents of an 8-year-old girl from Texas are seeking justice after their daughter vanished during last summer’s flash flood in the Hill Country. They have filed a lawsuit against the operators of Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp where their daughter, Cecilia “Cile” Steward, was tragically washed away.

Will and CiCi Steward, the parents in question, have accused the Eastland family, who have run Camp Mystic for many years, of failing to ensure their daughter’s safety. Their lawsuit, submitted in Travis County, claims that Cile, who is presumed deceased, was left unprotected during the disaster. They are seeking over $1 million in damages.

On June 29, 2025, Cile was dropped off for her first month-long experience at the sleepaway camp, a tradition in her family, attended by her mother, aunt, grandmother, and many cousins. Her parents did not expect it would be their final goodbye.

Devastatingly, the stormy weather on July 4 led to the flooding of the Guadalupe River in Kerr County, resulting in a tragedy that claimed the lives of 130 people, including 27 camp attendees. Among the deceased was Richard “Dick” Eastland, the camp’s owner. Reportedly, he attempted to save some campers during the flood.

However, the Stewards’ lawsuit argues that the Eastlands delayed evacuating the children from the cabins and failed to act on flood warnings provided by the National Weather Service. The camp, situated on a flood plain with a known history of flooding, allegedly had minimal emergency plans. The lawsuit criticizes the Eastlands for prioritizing the movement of their assets over the safety of the campers.

“They moved the horses. They moved the canoes. They did not move the children,” the lawsuit states.

According to the lawsuit, as floodwaters began to seep into the cabins, Edward Eastland advised campers to remain in place, predicting the waters would recede. He even resorted to praying for divine intervention. Unfortunately, the water levels continued to rise, causing fear and panic among the campers.

The lawsuit names not only Camp Mystic and its associated companies as defendants but also Edward Eastland and other family members, alongside William Neely Bonner III, the company president owning the camp’s land. The Eastlands’ attorney, Mikal Watts, expressed grief over the tragic deaths. He stated their intention to prove that the flood was unexpectedly severe and unforeseeable.

Past legal actions have also been pursued by families of other victims, alleging negligence by the camp’s operators. Meanwhile, Camp Mystic plans to reopen at its Cypress Lake location, emphasizing its independence from the old site.

The Stewards’ lawsuit recounts a heartbreaking escape attempt by Cile and two other campers on an inflatable mattress, where Cile was swept away by the strong current, ultimately leading to her presumed death.

The Stewards have criticized the Eastlands for attributing the incident to an unforeseen flood, arguing the flood was within the camp’s historical precedent. They point out the Eastlands’ failure to adequately prepare, despite warnings, contrasting their inaction with the biblical story of Noah.