**Tragic Loss of Toddler After Near-Drowning Incident**
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A two-year-old girl, Annelise Camp, has sadly passed away following a tragic drowning incident at a hotel pool on Memorial Day. Her family’s struggle through the aftermath of the accident included a legal battle to halt a Texas hospital from conducting brain death tests prior to her passing. The announcement of her death was made by her grandfather, Steve Camp, via social media on August 5.
On May 25, Annelise was visiting relatives when she wandered away and was subsequently found submerged at the bottom of a hotel pool by a cousin. Her father, Johnston Camp, reported that he performed CPR on his daughter after discovering her, with water coming out of her mouth. Miraculously, after approximately an hour, Annelise’s heartbeat was restored, and she was swiftly transported to Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston.
During her time in hospital care, Annelise remained in intensive care, reliant on a ventilator to assist her breathing. As the family faced an incredibly difficult situation, they created a GoFundMe page to alleviate the burden of medical costs. They expressed hope for her recovery, with Johnston stating that they believed even the slightest chance of improvement warranted effort. “If there’s that 1% chance or that 5% chance of results, we’re going to take it,” he told local media.
In the weeks that followed, a legal decision was pursued by the Camp family to prevent hospital tests that might declare Annelise brain dead. Under Texas law, brain death is defined as the irreversible cessation of brain function, allowing hospitals to discontinue life support measures upon such determination. The hospital had expressed a need for testing to better guide the care provided to Annelise, assuring that there were no immediate plans to end her care regardless of the results.
Despite her family’s fight for more time, Annelise was eventually transferred to a facility in Louisiana before later returning to Texas. Throughout this period, the family held onto hope, stating that she was showing “encouraging signs.”
However, on August 3, Steve Camp announced that Annelise had been extubated, after which she passed away shortly thereafter. The family has been met with condolences and support from the community, as many offer prayers and share in their grief.
A statement from the family on the GoFundMe page confirmed the heartbreaking news, declaring that “Annelise is now with Jesus.” It expressed a deep sense of loss while clinging to faith in recovery and healing beyond this life.
As the Camps begin to navigate life after this tragedy, a celebration to honour Annelise’s life is scheduled for August 12 in Houston. Steve Camp has encouraged continued prayers for their family as they come to terms with the unfathomable loss and how to rebuild their lives moving forward.
The case has drawn attention not only to the heart-wrenching personal struggle of the Camp family but also to the legal complexities surrounding end-of-life care and parental rights. Texas State Representative Steve Toth, who assisted the family through their legal battles, expressed support and condolences, highlighting the need for compassion and understanding in such delicate situations.
While the Camp family focuses on mourning and remembering their beloved daughter, the details surrounding Annelise’s care and the decisions made during her hospitalization continue to be a poignant reminder of the fragility of life and the challenges faced by families facing critical health crises.