Authorities in Laguna Beach say the body of a missing 5-year-old girl who was swept into the ocean earlier this week was recovered Thursday.
In a statement, the City of Laguna Beach said police spotted what appeared to be the child during an early-morning aerial search of the coastline on June 11, 2026. The girl had been reported swept into the water near Treasure Island Beach on June 9.
Officials said the sighting was made about 250 to 300 yards offshore near Christmas Cove, roughly a quarter-mile north of where she was last seen entering the ocean. Laguna Beach Marine Safety crews recovered the body with help from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol, according to the release.
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A Laguna Beach park ranger was seen scanning the shoreline on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, near the area where the child had been swept out to sea the day before.
A GoFundMe page sharing a message from the girl’s family identified her as Amada Mia Brown.
“Our family’s lives changed forever following a tragic accident on Tuesday, June 9, 2026, in Laguna Beach. After an extensive search, Amada was found and has now been reunited with her loved ones. While we are grateful to have answers, our hearts are shattered by this devastating loss,” another portion of the message declared.
A Wednesday press release noted that “Based on preliminary information, a mother and her two children were swept into the ocean by powerful water [c]onditions while near the shoreline. Bystanders immediately entered the water and successfully rescued the mother and one child.”
A lifeguard rescue boat cruises around the area where a child was swept out to sea near the Montage Resort in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, June 10, 2026. (Mindy Schauer/MediaNewsGroup/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
The child’s mother “was doing anything any mother would do, take her children out to have a good time,” the little girl’s father, Aaron Brown, said in a KABC news report. “Unfortunately, the waves were a little bit too much.”
The discovery of the body occurred after search efforts had wound down.
The U.S. Coast Guard noted in a Thursday press release that it had suspended its search on Wednesday evening.
Lifeguards were kept busy in Laguna Beach on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, as they warned unsuspecting swimmers not to go into the dangerous surf. (Mindy Schauer/MediaNewsGroup/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
“Our deepest condolences go out to the child’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time,” Capt. Stacey Crecy, commander of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, said. “Suspending a search is an extremely difficult decision. We launched assets and responded as quickly as possible, continuously searching throughout the night and until sunset on June 10, 2026. We worked hand-in-hand with first responders in Laguna Beach to carry out a coordinated and thorough search of the area.”
A Wednesday City of Laguna Beach release noted that “As of sunset on June 10, 2026, Laguna Beach Marine Safety personnel and assisting agencies have concluded the dedicated search and recovery operation for the adolescent female who went missing in the ocean from Treasure Island Beach on the evening of June 9, 2026.”
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