Body of 5-year-old swept away at Laguna Beach found along coastline

The body of the San Bernardino 5-year-old girl who was swept into the ocean in Laguna Beach earlier this week was found early Thursday morning along the coastline during aerial surveillance.

The City of Laguna Beach said the sighting occurred 250 to 300 yards offshore of Christmas Cove, about one-quarter mile north of the area where Amada Mia Brown was initially swept away.

A multi-agency search-and-recovery mission had been underway since about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, after the child was swept into the ocean near Treasure Island Beach, as a beach hazard was in place due to strong currents and high surf.

Amada's family was walking along the shore when a large wave swept them out to sea. Bystanders at the scene rescued the mother and her son, but Amada was missing. 

Laguna Beach Marine Safety, the Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol, and the United States Coast Guard were still searching for Amada the following day, and at around 9 p.m. on Wednesday, officials announced that they had concluded their search after they were unable to locate her.

 Crews searched for more than 30 hours and covered more than 90 square miles.  

The Orange County Sheriff's Department Coroner Division positively identified the body found as the missing swimmer reported on June 9, 2026, Amada Mia Brown. Her family was notified and held a vigil on Thursday evening. Aaron Brown, her heartbroken father, spoke at the vigil.

"I was hurt, and just thinking about what my daughter might have been going through in her last moments," Brown told reporters. "Pretty sure she was scared, and just not being able to be there for her, pretty much the main thing I was thinking about."

He said Amada's mother hysterically phoned him the night she went missing, and told him, "I lost her."

"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 earlier.

"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."