Baker Family Sues Camp Mystic Owners Over Negligence
Attorneys argue the camp ignored known flood risks for decades, filing the suit as an automatic stay on wrongful death claims was lifted.
By Ella Cox ·
Attorney Tim Ferguson filed a negligence lawsuit on behalf of the family of Mary Grace Baker, one of the 28 people killed in the July 2025 flooding at Camp Mystic. The suit targets the owners of the facility, asserting that they failed to protect campers from known dangers.
Ferguson, who practices in Beaumont, stated that the complaint alleges the camp was aware of flooding issues on the property for decades. The legal document points to previous flood events, FEMA flood-hazard designations, and annual floodplain permits as evidence that the risk was documented. The family claims the camp prioritized operational convenience and profit over safety, resulting in facilities built in unsafe locations and a lack of an effective evacuation plan.
Clarke Baker, the father of the deceased camper, issued a statement explaining the timing of the suit. He said the family needed the first year after the tragedy to survive the grief. He described the filing as an act of love for their daughter and a duty to seek accountability and truth, rather than an expression of anger.
Ferguson emphasized that the event was preventable and not merely an unforeseeable act of nature. He argued that no family should have to bury a daughter because a private camp placed other priorities ahead of child safety. The lawsuit seeks transparency and responsibility to prevent similar tragedies for other families.
The lawsuit was filed on the same day that an automatic stay on wrongful death suits against the camp was removed. The facility is currently undergoing bankruptcy proceedings. A federal bankruptcy judge approved the appointment of two independent fiduciaries to manage the camp's business and legal affairs. The judge cited potential conflicts of interest, noting that members of the Eastland family are also defendants in existing lawsuits.
The Eastland family retains ownership of Camp Mystic, but the newly appointed fiduciaries will now make all business and legal decisions. The owners previously contested search warrants issued by the Texas Rangers. The July 2025 flooding at the camp resulted in 28 deaths, including camp director Dick Eastland.
