Family Sues Camp Mystic Over Deadly Flood Tragedy

Parents of missing camper Cecilia 'Cile' Steward demand justice and closure of Christian girls' camp

Apr. 12, 2026 at 6:53pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single muddy, waterlogged object from the Camp Mystic flood, such as a child's shoe or a broken flashlight, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the devastating aftermath of the tragedy.A single muddy, waterlogged object from the Camp Mystic flood serves as a stark reminder of the tragedy that unfolded.Hill Country Village Today

The family of 8-year-old Cecilia 'Cile' Steward, who went missing during a devastating flood at Camp Mystic in the Texas Hill Country, has filed a $1 million lawsuit against the camp's owners. The lawsuit accuses Camp Mystic of prioritizing faith over safety and alleges the camp had inadequate emergency procedures that failed to protect campers during the flood, which claimed 27 lives.

Why it matters

The Stewards' lawsuit is the fifth of its kind filed by families of the victims, collectively known as 'Heaven's 27.' The lawsuits seek accountability for the camp's alleged negligence and aim to prevent the camp from reopening, which the Stewards call 'tone deaf' and an 'intentional infliction of emotional distress' on the grieving families.

The details

The lawsuit paints a damning picture, accusing Camp Mystic of failing to have a proper evacuation plan and instructing campers to remain in their cabins during the flood, despite the camp's history of flooding incidents. In the aftermath, Texas lawmakers passed new safety laws for camps in floodplains, but the Stewards argue this comes too late for the families of 'Heaven's 27'.

  • The devastating flood at Camp Mystic occurred last summer.
  • The Stewards filed their lawsuit in April 2026, 7 months after their daughter's disappearance.
  • The camp's decision to reopen one of its sites just 2 months after the tragedy has been met with outrage.

The players

Cecilia 'Cile' Steward

An 8-year-old camper who went missing during the flood at Camp Mystic.

Catherine and Will Steward

The parents of Cecilia 'Cile' Steward, who are suing Camp Mystic for over $1 million in damages.

Camp Mystic

A Christian girls' camp in the Texas Hill Country that was the site of a devastating flood that claimed 27 lives.

The Eastland family

The owners and operators of Camp Mystic.

Mikal Watts

The attorney representing Camp Mystic, who has countered the claims made in the lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“Cile was taken from us 7 months ago, and while we recognize this lawsuit will not bring her back, we feel compelled to ensure the truth of Camp Mystic's failures are exposed.”

— Catherine and Will Steward, Parents of missing camper Cecilia 'Cile' Steward

“We remain proud of the legacy of Camp Mystic and its role in forging strong, young Christian women across Texas.”

— Mikal Watts, Attorney for Camp Mystic

What’s next

The Stewards are seeking a temporary restraining order to prevent Camp Mystic from reopening until the legal battle concludes.

The takeaway

This tragic case highlights the importance of prioritizing safety over faith, especially for camps and other facilities that cater to vulnerable populations. The Stewards' lawsuit aims to ensure the truth is exposed and that such a devastating loss of life never happens again.