Hunt, Texas, February 7, 2026
The parents of Cecilia “Cile” Steward have filed a lawsuit against Camp Mystic, claiming negligence after their daughter went missing during a flood. The lawsuit alleges that the camp failed to implement a legally required evacuation plan and ignored weather warnings, which contributed to the incident. The Stewards are seeking over $1 million in damages for the presumed death of their daughter, highlighting the camp’s negligence during the disaster that occurred at Camp Mystic that resulted in significant loss of life.
Austin Parents Sue Camp Mystic Over Daughter’s Disappearance in Texas Floods
Austin, Texas – The parents of 8-year-old Cecilia “Cile” Steward, who remains missing after the July 4, 2025, flooding at Camp Mystic, have filed a lawsuit against the camp’s owners and management. The lawsuit alleges that the camp failed to implement a legally required evacuation plan and ignored weather warnings, leading to the tragic incident.
Details of the Lawsuit
Will and Cici Steward, residents of Austin, filed the lawsuit seeking over $1 million in damages. They claim that the Eastland family, which owns and operates Camp Mystic, neglected to protect their daughter, who is presumed deceased. The lawsuit highlights that the camp lacked an evacuation plan mandated by state law and disregarded multiple weather alerts about rising flood risks. Despite these warnings, the camp did not relocate campers to higher ground or take necessary precautions as the Guadalupe River’s water levels rose to historic heights.
Events Leading to the Tragedy
On June 29, 2025, the Stewards dropped off their daughter for her first overnight camp experience at Camp Mystic, a family tradition spanning generations. The lawsuit details that, in the days leading up to the flood, camp leaders received multiple weather alerts warning of increasing flood risk across the region but didn’t notify campers or counselors of the severity of the threat or move younger campers to higher ground. On the night of the flood, as water levels rose rapidly, the camp instructed campers and counselors to “stay put” in their cabins. This directive left some of the youngest campers trapped as water began entering cabins. The lawsuit alleges that Cecilia made it through the broken window and onto a mattress but fell into the floodwaters. She reached a tree where other survivors were later found but was unable to hold on and was swept away. The Stewards’ attorneys argue that the camp’s actions were in direct violation of federal and state guidelines for flood emergencies, leading to their daughter’s presumed death.
Background on Camp Mystic and the Flood
Camp Mystic, located near Hunt, Texas, is a long-standing all-girls Christian summer camp situated along the Guadalupe River. The camp has a history of flooding, including a significant event in 1932. On July 4, 2025, a slow-moving thunderstorm caused the Guadalupe River to flood, resulting in the deaths of at least 137 people across Central Texas, including 27 campers and counselors at Camp Mystic. The camp’s director, Richard “Dick” Eastland, was among those who perished in the flood. Despite the camp’s history of flooding, the Eastland family did not implement adequate safety measures or evacuation plans to protect the campers during the disaster.
Reactions and Legal Proceedings
The Stewards’ lawsuit is the fifth legal action taken against Camp Mystic since the July flood. Other families have also filed lawsuits alleging negligence and seeking justice for their loved ones. In response to the lawsuits, the Eastland family’s attorney stated that they intend to demonstrate that the flood was unprecedented and unforeseeable, and that no adequate early warning flood systems existed in the area. The Stewards have called for the camp to halt plans to reopen until investigations are completed and the truth about the camp’s failures is exposed.
Conclusion
The lawsuit filed by the Stewards underscores the ongoing legal and emotional challenges faced by the families affected by the Camp Mystic flood. As investigations continue, the case highlights the importance of accountability and the need for stringent safety measures in places responsible for the well-being of children.
Key Features of the Case
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Incident | July 4, 2025, flooding at Camp Mystic, resulting in the presumed death of 8-year-old Cecilia “Cile” Steward. |
| Lawsuit | Filed by Will and Cici Steward against Camp Mystic’s owners and management, alleging negligence and seeking over $1 million in damages. |
| Camp Mystic | All-girls Christian summer camp located near Hunt, Texas, with a history of flooding, including a significant event in 1932. |
| Flood Cause | Slow-moving thunderstorm leading to the Guadalupe River overflowing, causing at least 137 deaths across Central Texas, including 27 at Camp Mystic. |
| Response | Eastland family’s attorney claims flood was unprecedented and unforeseeable; Stewards call for camp to halt reopening plans until investigations are completed. |
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