Orange County officials say girl, 5, missing after being swept away into ocean in Laguna Beach
Authorities in Orange County have concluded their search for a 5-year-old girl who was swept into the ocean with her family on Tuesday evening.
According to the Laguna Beach Police Department, reports came in for multiple swimmers in distress at Treasure Island Beach at about 7:30 p.m. after a mother and her two children were swept into the ocean by "powerful water conditions while near the shoreline."
Laguna Beach Mayor Mark Orgill told CBS LA that the mother, her son, and her daughter were walking along the sand when a large wave swept them away.
"This is one of the most heartbreaking incidents I have witnessed during my time serving this community," said Mayor Mark Orgill. "Our hearts go out to the young victim's family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss. On behalf of the Laguna Beach community, I extend our deepest condolences and want the family to know they are in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginably difficult time."
Bystanders at the scene successfully rescued the mother and the boy, but a young girl remains missing as of Wednesday morning. She's yet to be identified publicly, but Newport Beach Lifeguards told CBS LA that she is 5.
Laguna Beach Marine Safety, the Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol and the United States Coast Guard were still searching for the girl as of Wednesday morning, and at around 9 p.m., officials announced that they had concluded their search after they were unable to locate the victim.
"Our deepest condolences go out to the child's family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time," said Capt. Stacey Crecy, commander of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach. "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."
Crews searched for more than 30 hours and covered more than 90 square miles.
Aerial images showed crews in the water at about 8 a.m. Other search efforts included utilizing rescue watercraft, aerial resources, dive teams, shore-based personnel and rescue boats. They said that their work started in the shoreline area where the girl was last seen and expanded outward along the coastline and offshore based on the ocean conditions.
A pair of bystanders who helped rescue the mom and one of the children were transported to a local hospital in stable condition with unspecified injuries.
No additional details were immediately made available.
The tragedy comes as a powerful storm off the coast has generated dangerous conditions in the water. The National Weather Service issued a Beach Hazards Statement that remains in effect through Thursday night as wave size increases.
The City of Laguna Beach on Tuesday morning, several hours before the incident, posted a warning on Instagram about beach conditions.
"Strong rip currents can quickly pull swimmers away from shore, and large surf creates hazardous conditions for swimmers, surfers, and anyone near the water's edge," the post's caption says.
