AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — In a testimony that has drawn significant public attention, Mary Liz Eastland, the medical officer at Camp Mystic where 27 girls tragically lost their lives due to a flood last year, admitted in court that she has yet to formally notify the state health department about the deaths. The camp’s reopening this summer remains under state review amid ongoing lawsuits from victims' families.
Mary Liz Eastland, a member of the family operating Camp Mystic, faced tough questioning during a legal battle with families seeking to preserve evidence from the flood. Details surrounding the July 4 tragedy on the Guadalupe River were revealed, indicating significant delays in evacuation decisions, leading to a devastating loss of life.
Despite the tragic outcomes being in no dispute, the Texas administrative code necessitates that deaths be reported within 24 hours; a requirement Eastland admitted she failed to acknowledge in the aftermath of the incident. “I did not think of this requirement in the moments following the flood,” she stated, indicating a significant oversight in camp management protocols.
Eastland could not pinpoint exactly when she realized the extent of the tragedy. When questioned regarding notifying the state now that the camp's reopening application was pending, she replied, “I guess so.” However, it's unclear how this failure to report will affect the licensing status of the camp, which hosts nearly 900 girls.
As the legal proceedings unfold, families of the victims, including the Steward family, whose 8-year-old daughter remains missing, have actively protested the camp's plans to reopen under the Eastland family's continued leadership. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick echoed their concerns, asserting that no license should be issued until investigations are completely resolved.
Mary Liz Eastland's testimony follows that of her husband, Edward Eastland, who recounted harrowing moments during the flood where he fought to save campers. The emotional testimony amidst such a sorrowful backdrop has emphasized the importance of accountability and thorough investigations into the camp's safety measures.
The camp's forthcoming legal and state reviews will heavily focus on these incidents as officials aim to ensure similar tragedies do not occur in the future.
