Mother Still Missing After Two Teens Drown, One Rescued On Lake Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Authorities are still searching for the body of a woman who has presumably drowned, after she and her three daughters got trapped in the flooded Springfield Dam.

Authorities say 40-year-old Taylor Stawny, 19-year-old Andrea Stawny, 17-year-old Sofie Stawny, and 12-year-old Aurelie Stawny were in a kayak with two inflatable tubes attached to the kayak when the four were swept over the dam amidst flooding conditions on Sunday, June 14.

Taylor, Andrea, Sofie, and Aurelie Stawny — GoFundMe page

The waters churned violently below the dam, which impounds the James River to make Lake Springfield, as rescuers daringly saved one of the girls — 12-year-old Aurelie Stawny. During the operation, their rescue boat was swept into the dam's undertow and they nearly drowned as well. Three rescue team members reportedly received medical treatment.

A video taken by a bystander shows the harrowing rescue, including the boat being sucked toward the churning water below the dam and capsizing with three rescuers and Aurelie aboard.

The bodies of 19-year-old Andrea and 17-year-old Sofie have been recovered; authorities are still searching for 40-year-old Taylor Stawny and have stated the operation is now being treated as a recovery rather than a rescue.

A GoFundMe page to support the family has raised over $27,000 as of this publishing.