2-Year-Old Annelise Camp Dies Months After Near-Drowning at Houston Hotel Pool

Two-year-old Annelise Camp has died more than two months after she nearly drowned in a Houston hotel swimming pool on Memorial Day.

Annelise spent roughly 10 weeks in hospitals after the incident, relying on a ventilator as doctors and her family fought to save her life. She died Monday after her life-support machines were turned off.

Her parents, Johnston and Joy Camp, announced her death in a statement shared through a fundraising page.

“Annelise is now with Jesus,” they wrote, adding that although their hearts were broken, they found comfort in their faith and believed their daughter was no longer suffering.

The family said they hoped Annelise’s life would continue to inspire compassion and provide hope to other families facing difficult medical circumstances.

The toddler’s near-drowning occurred on Memorial Day at a Houston hotel. According to her father, Annelise had removed her life jacket and accidentally wandered into the swimming pool.

Her 12-year-old cousin eventually found her at the bottom of the pool. Her heartbeat reportedly did not return for nearly an hour.

Annelise was rushed to Texas Children’s Hospital and placed on a ventilator. Doctors treating her initially believed she had suffered devastating brain damage.

The situation later became the center of a legal dispute between Annelise’s parents and the hospital. Her parents sought legal intervention to prevent testing related to a possible determination of brain death, citing their religious beliefs.

The hospital said at the time that additional testing would help guide Annelise’s care and stated that there were no immediate plans to withdraw life-sustaining treatment based solely on the results.

The case attracted national attention, including from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who said he was monitoring the situation and supported the family’s efforts to continue seeking treatment.

Later that month, Annelise was transferred to Ochsner Children’s Hospital in Louisiana.

In updates shared by her family during her hospitalization, they described what they considered encouraging signs, including strong organ function and good oxygen levels. They also explored additional treatment options, including hyperbaric oxygen therapy and experimental stem-cell approaches.

Despite those efforts, Annelise ultimately did not recover.

Her parents said they were grateful for the people who supported their daughter throughout her medical journey and for those who prayed for her and their family.

A celebration of Annelise’s life is scheduled to take place at a Baptist church in Houston.

For her family, the little girl’s short life was marked by both profound hardship and moments of hope. They now hope that her memory will continue to bring comfort and encourage others facing similar tragedies.