Camp Mystic nurse who abandoned little girls during deadly flooding has license suspended

A nurse left children to face a deadly flood alone at a summer camp.

The head nurse at a Texas camp where 28 people died in a flood has lost her license after admitting she left children behind.

Parents send their kids to camp trusting that adults will keep them safe when things go wrong. That trust was broken when the water rose and the people in charge walked away.

What Happened

Mary Liz Eastland served as the head nurse at Camp Mystic in Texas. Last July 4, the Guadalupe River flooded the camp grounds. The water trapped dozens of children in their cabins.

Eastland was the chief health officer for the camp. During a court hearing last month, she was asked if she abandoned the campers who needed her help. She answered, "yes."

The Texas Board of Nursing suspended her license last week. They said she is a threat to the public. The board also noted that she failed to report the deaths to state officials within the required 24-hour window.

What the evidence shows

• 28 people died in the flood, including 25 children.
• The camp failed to use a loudspeaker to order an evacuation.
• Staff did not meet to discuss the incoming storm before it hit.
• Eastland admitted on the stand that she abandoned the campers.
• The camp did not report the deaths to state health authorities on time.

The Bigger Question

We have to ask why a camp for the wealthy lacked basic safety plans for a known flood zone. Was the desire to keep the camp running more important than the lives of the children inside?

This case forces us to look at how we regulate private camps. When a business is responsible for the lives of children, who makes sure they are actually ready for a disaster?

The Other Side

Camp Mystic says this is a sad day for the nursing profession. Their lawyer claims Eastland rejects the findings and will fight to keep her license. This defense seems weak given her own admission in court.

What Happens Now

Families of the victims have filed wrongful-death lawsuits against the camp. These families are still searching for answers about how their children died. The legal battle will likely continue for a long time.

What We Still Don't Know

1. Why was there no formal evacuation plan in place for a flood-prone area?
2. What specific actions did the staff take during the hours before the flood?
3. Where is the body of 8-year-old Cile Steward?