Parents of Missing 8-Year-Old Help Score Legal Win Against Camp Where She Was Swept Away in Flooding Tragedy

AUSTIN, Texas — A Travis County District Court judge has issued a temporary injunction preventing the owners of Camp Mystic from altering or destroying physical evidence at the site of last year’s catastrophic July 4 flash flood. The ruling comes as the parents of Cecilia “Cile” Steward—the only camper still missing following the tragedy—fight to preserve the grounds for forensic inspection ahead of the camp’s planned summer reopening.

During a hearing on Wednesday, March 4, Judge Maya Guerra Gamble ruled that the camp’s management cannot remodel, demolish, or remove the specific cabins where 27 campers and staff members were housed during the 2025 disaster. The order also extends to the main office, recreation hall, and commissary, effectively freezing the Guadalupe River campus in its current state.

A “Legal and Moral Victory” for the Steward Family

The injunction is a pivotal development in the negligence and gross negligence lawsuit filed by Will and CiCi Steward. Their daughter, Cile, remains the only victim whose remains have not been recovered among the 130 people killed across Central Texas during the historic flooding.

“Today was a legal and moral victory for our continued efforts to find Cile,” said Christina Yarnell, an attorney for the Stewards. The family’s legal team argued that any construction or “cleanup” at the Guadalupe site would permanently compromise the integrity of the scene before a full forensic investigation could be completed.

Brad Beckworth, another attorney representing the family, stated the ruling ensures that “all evidence that will help us get the truth of what happened to Cile will be brought to light.”

Allegations of Negligence and Ignored Warnings

The Stewards’ complaint paints a harrowing picture of the night of July 4, 2025. The lawsuit alleges that while flash flood warnings were active, camp co-owner Dick Eastland—who also perished in the flood—prioritized the camp’s equipment over the safety of the children.

According to the filings:

• Prioritization of Property: The complaint claims Eastland focused on moving canoes to higher ground rather than evacuating cabins.
• Conflicting Instructions: Campers were allegedly ordered to remain in their cabins to wait for instructions as water levels rose.
• Lack of Surveillance: At Wednesday’s hearing, Edward Eastland testified that although security cameras were active, no one was monitoring the live feeds during the overnight hours when the surge hit.

Will and CiCi Steward described the testimony as “astonishing,” noting that the failure to monitor the rising waters “proved to be a death sentence” for those in the Twin and Bubble Inn cabins.

Partial Reopening Plans Move Forward

Despite the freeze on the Guadalupe campus, the judge’s ruling stopped short of a total shutdown of the Camp Mystic organization. The camp intends to proceed with its summer season at the nearby Cypress Lake location.

Mikal Watts, an attorney for Camp Mystic, expressed satisfaction that the Cypress Lake site—which the defense describes as independent from the flood-ravaged Guadalupe campus—can remain operational.

“Camp Mystic is thrilled with today’s proceedings,” Watts said, noting that over 850 campers have already registered for the upcoming season. Watts added that the camp has agreed to structural separations to ensure children stay clear of the Guadalupe River areas during their stay.

Political and Regulatory Hurdles

The path to reopening remains fraught with tension. While the camp awaits a state-regulated license to operate, high-ranking Texas officials have voiced concerns.

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has publicly urged against the reopening until “all legislative investigations are complete and any necessary corrective actions are taken.” With the Guadalupe campus now legally designated as a preserved forensic site, the focus shifts to state regulators to determine if any part of the camp can safely host children this summer.

As the litigation continues, the search for Cile Steward remains the focal point for a grieving community and a legal battle that is far from over.