AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The medical officer for the Texas summer camp where 27 girls were killed in a flood last year testified Tuesday she still has not officially reported the deaths to the state health agency that regulates camps and is reviewing its application to reopen this summer.
Mary Liz Eastland, a family member responsible for Camp Mystic, faced questions in a legal battle between camp operators and families of victims who have filed lawsuits, demanding that the camp preserve damaged areas as evidence. Over the past two days, the hearing has provided detailed accounts from camp operators regarding the July 4 predawn flood on the Guadalupe River and the delayed decisions that resulted in a tragic loss of life.
While the deaths of 25 campers and two teenage counselors are widely acknowledged, Texas law mandates that camps report any deaths to state regulators within 24 hours. Eastland remarked, I did not think of this requirement in the moments happening after the flood.
The timeline of when she learned about the fatalities remains unclear, as she couldn't specify if it was a day or several days post-flood. When prompted about whether she should report the deaths now, especially with the camp's license application pending, Eastland responded, I guess so.
It remains uncertain if her failure to report will impact the license application process. The camp's application includes information on its officers and flood plain maps, although a detailed safety plan remains confidential. State regulators plan an inspection as part of the review and are looking into numerous complaints against the camp, with the Texas Rangers involved in the investigation.
DSHS has affirmed that findings from this inspection will influence the license renewal decision. The camp's proposal to reopen this summer has sparked anger among families of the deceased, particularly that of 8-year-old Cile Steward, the only victim still unaccounted for.
Families are expressing that the camp should not resume operations under the Eastland family's leadership, a view echoed by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who insists that no license should be granted until investigations conclude.
Following Eastland's testimony, her husband Edward detailed harrowing moments during the flood, and both Eastlands faced intense scrutiny for their decisions during the crisis. Their accounts brought forth the devastating impact of the flood and consequent challenges in ensuring camper safety amidst nature's fury. Eastland reflecting on the line of inquiry, acknowledged a lapse, asserting she had been aware of the camp property and its flood lines but felt unable to assist in those critical moments, stating, Cile needed your help and you abandoned her, didn’t you? to which she answered, Yes.\
Mary Liz Eastland, a family member responsible for Camp Mystic, faced questions in a legal battle between camp operators and families of victims who have filed lawsuits, demanding that the camp preserve damaged areas as evidence. Over the past two days, the hearing has provided detailed accounts from camp operators regarding the July 4 predawn flood on the Guadalupe River and the delayed decisions that resulted in a tragic loss of life.
While the deaths of 25 campers and two teenage counselors are widely acknowledged, Texas law mandates that camps report any deaths to state regulators within 24 hours. Eastland remarked, I did not think of this requirement in the moments happening after the flood.
The timeline of when she learned about the fatalities remains unclear, as she couldn't specify if it was a day or several days post-flood. When prompted about whether she should report the deaths now, especially with the camp's license application pending, Eastland responded, I guess so.
It remains uncertain if her failure to report will impact the license application process. The camp's application includes information on its officers and flood plain maps, although a detailed safety plan remains confidential. State regulators plan an inspection as part of the review and are looking into numerous complaints against the camp, with the Texas Rangers involved in the investigation.
DSHS has affirmed that findings from this inspection will influence the license renewal decision. The camp's proposal to reopen this summer has sparked anger among families of the deceased, particularly that of 8-year-old Cile Steward, the only victim still unaccounted for.
Families are expressing that the camp should not resume operations under the Eastland family's leadership, a view echoed by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, who insists that no license should be granted until investigations conclude.
Following Eastland's testimony, her husband Edward detailed harrowing moments during the flood, and both Eastlands faced intense scrutiny for their decisions during the crisis. Their accounts brought forth the devastating impact of the flood and consequent challenges in ensuring camper safety amidst nature's fury. Eastland reflecting on the line of inquiry, acknowledged a lapse, asserting she had been aware of the camp property and its flood lines but felt unable to assist in those critical moments, stating, Cile needed your help and you abandoned her, didn’t you? to which she answered, Yes.\
