July 2, 2026 / 10:40 AM EDT
/ CBS News
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The fathers of a camper and a counselor who were killed during last year's deadly floods at Camp Mystic in Texas said they'll keep advocating for improved summer camp safety to help prevent other families from experiencing a similar tragedy. Saturday, July 4, marks one year since the catastrophic floods killed more than 130 people, including 25 girls and two teenage counselors at the all-girls private Christian camp in Hunt, Texas. Matthew Childress' 18-year-old daughter, Chloe, and Ryan DeWitt's 9-year-old daughter, Molly, were in the same cabin when they died in the floods. That night now connects the two fathers – forever. "We all began to be driven by understanding the truth. What happened that night? What happened leading up to that night? What happened following that night?" Childress told "CBS Mornings." "At that time, even though I knew it was irrational, I felt that if I could put that timeline together, that I could save my daughter, that I could save these girls," he added.Childress, DeWitt and other families of the victims have since helped drive legislative changes regarding camp safety nationwide. They've also sued the camp, accusing its owners of gross negligence. "These young girls died because a for-profit camp put profit over safety," their lawsuit alleges.
