AUSTIN, Texas (RTW News) — The medical officer for Camp Mystic, the Texas summer camp where 27 girls lost their lives during a flood last year, testified on Tuesday that she has not officially reported these deaths to the state health agency, which oversees camp operations and is currently reviewing its application to reopen this summer. Mary Liz Eastland, a member of the family that owns and operates the camp, faced questioning during a legal battle between camp officials and the families of victims who are urging for the preservation of evidence at the camp.
The flood incident, which occurred on July 4, resulting in 25 campers and 2 teenage counselors drowning, has been widely reported. However, according to Texas administrative regulations, death reports must be submitted to state health officials within 24 hours. Eastland admitted, I did not think of this requirement in the moments happening after the flood, and even noted she had not filed a report by March 31, the date of the reopening application.
When asked about her responsibility to report the fatalities now while the license application is pending, Eastland stated, I guess so.
The implications of her failure to report are unclear, yet state regulators are preparing to inspect the camp as part of the licensing review. The agency is also dealing with numerous complaints against the camp and has invited the Texas Rangers to assist in the investigation. Texas legislators are conducting a separate inquiry.
The camp's plan to reopen this summer has been met with outrage from the families of the deceased. The family of 8-year-old Cile Steward, who remains missing, initiated the lawsuit driving this week's hearing. Their position is that the camp should not reopen with the Eastland family still in leadership roles.
Testimonies included touching accounts from Eastland's husband, Edward, who described harrowing efforts to rescue girls as the floodwaters swept through the camp. Mary Liz Eastland recalled, I had to figure out who we had and didn’t have at that point, while confirming her failure to evacuate campers early in the crisis.
Under intense questioning, she acknowledged her long history with the camp since 2002, facing accusations that she had abandoned her duties during the crisis: Yes, she replied when asked if she had abandoned them.
The flood incident, which occurred on July 4, resulting in 25 campers and 2 teenage counselors drowning, has been widely reported. However, according to Texas administrative regulations, death reports must be submitted to state health officials within 24 hours. Eastland admitted, I did not think of this requirement in the moments happening after the flood, and even noted she had not filed a report by March 31, the date of the reopening application.
When asked about her responsibility to report the fatalities now while the license application is pending, Eastland stated, I guess so.
The implications of her failure to report are unclear, yet state regulators are preparing to inspect the camp as part of the licensing review. The agency is also dealing with numerous complaints against the camp and has invited the Texas Rangers to assist in the investigation. Texas legislators are conducting a separate inquiry.
The camp's plan to reopen this summer has been met with outrage from the families of the deceased. The family of 8-year-old Cile Steward, who remains missing, initiated the lawsuit driving this week's hearing. Their position is that the camp should not reopen with the Eastland family still in leadership roles.
Testimonies included touching accounts from Eastland's husband, Edward, who described harrowing efforts to rescue girls as the floodwaters swept through the camp. Mary Liz Eastland recalled, I had to figure out who we had and didn’t have at that point, while confirming her failure to evacuate campers early in the crisis.
Under intense questioning, she acknowledged her long history with the camp since 2002, facing accusations that she had abandoned her duties during the crisis: Yes, she replied when asked if she had abandoned them.
