Woman wanted on felony charges for posing as flood victim’s family to scam donors

A Florida woman is wanted by Texas law enforcement on felony charges of online impersonation after authorities say she exploited the July 4 flood disaster in Kerrville by posing as the family member of a deceased Camp Mystic counselor to solicit fraudulent donations.

According to the Harris County Constable’s Office for Precinct 1, 28-year-old Maitlin White of Florida allegedly created online fundraisers while impersonating relatives of Chloe Childress, a counselor at Camp Mystic who was killed during last year’s catastrophic flash flooding. Investigators say White collected charitable donations intended for the victim’s family and disaster relief, then kept the money for herself.

Childress was one of two Camp Mystic counselors who lost their lives when historic floodwaters swept through the Hill Country camp. The disaster claimed the lives of 25 children at Camp Mystic and contributed to 117 total fatalities across Kerr County, making it one of the deadliest flooding events in recent Texas history.

Houston-area law enforcement officials strongly condemned the alleged scheme, emphasizing the harm caused to both grieving families and well-intentioned donors. In a public statement regarding the arrest warrants, Constable Alan Rosen described the alleged actions as “despicable.”

Authorities are now asking the public for assistance in locating White and urge anyone with information about her whereabouts to contact law enforcement.

In the immediate aftermath of the flooding, state and federal officials warned the public about the risk of fraudulent fundraising campaigns seeking to capitalize on the tragedy. Donors were widely encouraged to give through established organizations, including the Hill Country Community Foundation, which ultimately raised more than $100 million to support flood recovery efforts.

The disaster has also led to ongoing legal action. Last fall, parents of several deceased campers filed a negligence lawsuit against Camp Mystic. One of the camp’s longtime owners, Dick Eastland, died during the flooding while attempting to rescue campers from the rapidly rising waters. The camp was jointly owned by Eastland and his wife, Tweety Eastland, who survived him.

The case against White remains active as law enforcement continues its search, underscoring broader concerns about disaster-related fraud and the exploitation of public generosity following large-scale tragedies.