A Texas mother, heartbroken from the loss of her 8-year-old daughter during a devastating flash flood at a camp, is desperately trying to recover her child’s treasured stuffed animal.
Stacey Stevens lost her daughter, Mary Barrett Stevens, along with 26 others, when a severe flood hit Camp Mystic on July 4. She mentioned that her daughter’s favorite brown monkey disappeared during the chaos. “I looked everywhere for her monkey; she took it to camp with her all the time,” she shared in a recent Facebook post aimed at locating lost items from the Guadalupe River.
“We lost our daughter, and we really want to find that monkey back. It meant the world to her. It has her name on it—a square sticker that says Mary Barrett Stevens. Please call me if you see it!”
Reports indicate the toy might be a brown “faddle waddle monkey” produced by Jellycat.
It remains unclear whether any lost stuffed toys have been found. In a gesture of support, the nonprofit group Lost Sofficy Project announced they’ve sent a replacement toy to the grieving mother.
“Thank you for allowing us to provide a replica to this sweet family,” the organization posted on Instagram.
Founded in 1926, Camp Mystic failed to evacuate despite the severe weather affecting already flood-prone regions along the Guadalupe River, resulting in the deadliest flooding Texas has experienced in over a century.
The flood devastated the Kerr County camp, claiming the lives of young campers, counselors, and camp staff. Mary was described as a bright and caring child, known for her infectious laughter, as noted on a GoFundMe page established to support affected families.
Stevens had previously expressed her feelings about her lost child, stating, “You have left such a positive impact on everyone who knows you. I am so grateful to be your mom. I love you and will always try to live life in the way you did.” She added that although their world feels shattered, she finds comfort in knowing Mary resides joyfully in heaven, having fun with friends.
The family is currently seeking privacy as they navigate their grief, a spokesperson shared, noting that Stacey did not respond to inquiries following her recent post.
The tragedy has claimed over 120 lives across the state, and rescuers are still actively searching for the 173 people reported missing, including five campers and a counselor.
