Texas Investigating Hundreds of Complaints Against Camp Mystic After Deadly Floods

State considers whether to allow the all-girls camp to reopen this summer amid allegations of neglect.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 2:06am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a twisted, damaged metal object from the Camp Mystic flood site, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conveying a stark, gritty, investigative mood without words.The state's criminal investigation into alleged neglect at Camp Mystic exposes the grim aftermath of the deadly 2025 floods.Austin Today

Texas health regulators are investigating hundreds of complaints against Camp Mystic following last year's devastating floods that killed 27 girls, as the state considers whether to allow the all-girls camp to reopen this summer. The Texas Rangers are also helping look into allegations of neglect, although the scope of the state's elite investigations unit was not immediately clear.

Why it matters

The investigations underscore the hurdles facing Camp Mystic as it pushes ahead with reopening plans over the outrage of the families of the 25 girls and two teenage counselors who died in the July 4 floods. The camp did not evacuate and was hit hard when the river rose from 14 feet to 29.5 feet within 60 minutes before dawn.

The details

The Department of State Health Services said that since February, the agency has received 'hundreds of complaints regarding Camp Mystic's operations in the summer of 2025' alleging violations of state laws governing youth camps. The Texas Department of Public Safety said the Texas Rangers joined an 'investigation regarding complaints of neglect' during the flood, but neither agency released details.

  • The devastating floods that killed 27 girls occurred on July 4, 2025.
  • The Department of State Health Services has received hundreds of complaints since February 2026.

The players

Texas Department of State Health Services

The state agency investigating hundreds of complaints against Camp Mystic.

Texas Rangers

The elite state police investigations unit that is helping look into allegations of neglect at Camp Mystic.

Camp Mystic

The all-girls Christian camp in Texas that is facing hurdles to reopen this summer after the deadly 2025 floods.

Dan Patrick

The Texas Lieutenant Governor who called the Texas Rangers' involvement a 'criminal investigation' and said the state should not grant the camp a license to reopen until the probes are complete.

Cile Steward

An 8-year-old camper whose body has not yet been recovered after the deadly floods.

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What they’re saying

“I urge you to prioritize safety and do everything in your power to ensure Camp Mystic and/or their operators are not allowed to operate until the facts are in.”

— Dan Patrick, Texas Lieutenant Governor

What’s next

The Texas Department of State Health Services said it asked for help from state police, and the Texas Rangers have joined an investigation regarding complaints of neglect during the 2025 floods. The state is considering whether to grant Camp Mystic a license to reopen this summer.

The takeaway

This case highlights the intense scrutiny and legal challenges facing Camp Mystic as it seeks to reopen after the devastating 2025 floods that killed 27 girls. The investigations by state health regulators and the Texas Rangers underscore the need for thorough accountability and a focus on camper safety before any decision is made about the camp's future.