Seeking Justice: The Stewards' Fight for Accountability at Camp Mystic
Cile Steward, an 8-year-old girl, was tragically swept away by floodwaters at Camp Mystic in the Texas Hill Country during a devastating flood last summer. Despite ongoing search efforts by Texas authorities, her remains have not been found. Her parents, CiCi and Will Steward, are grappling with their grief in different ways. CiCi writes a letter to her daughter every day, expressing her sorrow and staying connected, while Will struggles with diminishing hope of finding Cile.
The flood, caused by thunderstorms in Kerr County, Texas, claimed the lives of 130 people, including 27 children and counselors at Camp Mystic. Cile's body was never recovered, leaving her parents with a profound sense of loss. CiCi finds solace in writing to her daughter and looking at her photos daily, despite the emotional toll it takes on her.
The Stewards recently filed a lawsuit against the Eastland family, who operated Camp Mystic, alleging negligence in their emergency preparedness during the flood. The lawsuit claims that the Eastlands failed to have a sufficient evacuation plan and disregarded National Weather Service alerts, resulting in chaos and delayed rescue efforts at the camp.
The Stewards are seeking over $1 million in damages in the lawsuit, holding the Eastlands accountable for the tragic events at Camp Mystic. They criticize the Eastlands for attempting to resume camp operations while Cile remains missing, calling the site an "active crime scene." The Stewards emphasize the bravery of camp counselors and first responders who worked to save the girls during the flood, contrasting it with the alleged inaction of the Eastland family.
Despite the legal battle and ongoing search for Cile, the Stewards remain committed to seeking justice for their daughter and holding those responsible accountable for the events at Camp Mystic. Their lawsuit aims to shed light on the failures in emergency preparedness that led to the tragic loss of lives during the flood. The Stewards continue to mourn the absence of their daughter and hope for closure in the future.