Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick is asking state regulators to not renew Camp Mystic’s license at this time. Patrick’s letter reads that there needs to be a full investigation of what happened at the camp last summer before the Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) considers a license renewal.
“Twenty-eight lives were taken, and until these deaths are investigated and any necessary corrective actions are taken to ensure this never happens again, a camp license should not be issued to Camp Mystic,” the letter reads.
Patrick said the General Investigating Committees in the Texas House and Senate will meet this Spring to “gather the facts surrounding this extreme loss of life at Camp Mystic.”
Patrick’s letter comes as several parents filed complaints with DSHS, asking for the camp’s license not to be renewed at this time. The families who spoke with 2 Investigates said they still have not received a full accounting of what happened at the camp during the flood.
Several families also recently filed suit against DSHS, which licenses and inspects youth camps, claiming the agency failed to enforce state law by making sure Mystic had a plan to evacuate every occupied building.
Camp Mystic officials maintain the flood was “unexpected and unforeseeable,” and that it is seeking to reopen its Cypress Lake location, not the location where 25 campers, 2 counselors and co-owner Dick Eastland died during the flood.