5-Year-Old Girl Died After Being Swept Away by Powerful Current at California Beach

Girl Disappeared in the Ocean

Body Found After Search

Powerful Waves Caused Tragedy

The search for a 5-year-old girl who disappeared after being swept away by a powerful wave in Laguna Beach, California, ended tragically after more than 30 hours of efforts by rescuers and authorities.

A Wave Separated the Family on the Coast

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Una publicación compartida por ABC7 Eyewitness News (@abc7la)

According to FOX Weather, the incident occurred Tuesday near the coast of Laguna Beach.

According to authorities, a mother and her two children were swept into the ocean by a strong wave accompanied by heavy surf.

People who were in the area helped with the rescue efforts.

Thanks to that intervention, the mother and one of the children managed to return safely to shore.

However, ocean conditions prevented the second child from being reached.

According to FOX 11, the waves reached approximately 2.7 meters in height.

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The heavy surf made rescue attempts difficult and triggered an immediate response from emergency teams.

The missing child was later identified as 5-year-old Amada Mia Brown.

From the moment of the emergency, authorities deployed resources to locate her.

Drowning in Laguna Beach: More Than 30 Hours of Searching in Difficult Conditions

The search began immediately after the girl was swept away by the current.

The Orange County Sheriff’s Department later confirmed that the child’s body had been found.

The city of Laguna Beach reported that Marine Safety personnel responded immediately and began operations in the area where the victim was last seen.

The U.S. Coast Guard also participated in the efforts.

According to the USCG, watchstanders at Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach received a call at around 8:00 p.m. from the Laguna Beach Fire Department dispatch center.

The alert indicated that a child had been struck by a wave and swept into an area of heavy surf.

Over the following days, emergency teams maintained a constant search.

The efforts covered more than 90 square miles.

In total, response teams searched for more than 30 hours.

Operations continued throughout the night and extended until sunset on June 10, 2026.

Finally, the search was suspended on Thursday.

Shortly afterward, Laguna Beach authorities confirmed that the girl’s body had been found and she had unfortunately passed away after drowning.

Authorities Warn About the Danger of Heavy Surf

Elevated to high surf, especially for south-facing beaches is expected through Thursday. Actions: Remain off rocks and jetties, always keep an eye on the ocean, and follow local lifeguard advice before swimming. #socal #cawx #highsurf pic.twitter.com/LMxyY5YcPx

— NWS Los Angeles (@NWSLosAngeles) June 10, 2026

According to the National Weather Service, the dangerous water conditions were caused by a swell from the south.

This phenomenon generated intense waves that affected both Orange County and Los Angeles County.

Authorities have warned in recent days about the risks associated with these maritime conditions.

The Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning after reporting an increase in water rescues in recent weeks.

After the Laguna Beach drowning was confirmed, the Coast Guard expressed its condolences to the girl’s family.

“We express our deepest condolences to the child’s family and loved ones during this extremely difficult time,” said Captain Stacey Crecy, commander of Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach.

Crecy emphasized that suspending a search is always a complex decision for rescue teams.

The official said resources were deployed and operations were carried out as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, the National Weather Service continues to recommend exercising extreme caution at beaches, especially those facing south.

Authorities expect the strong swells to continue through Thursday.

Authorities continue warning residents and visitors about dangerous ocean conditions while the swells affecting the Southern California coast persist.