The body of five-year-old Amada Mia Brown has been recovered after she was swept into the ocean off Laguna Beach on Tuesday evening. Photos: YouTube//Screenshot
On the evening of June 9, a 5-year-old girl was swept into the ocean off Laguna Beach, California, during a large south swell that is still making waves. After an exhaustive search hampered by ocean conditions, the search was called off on Wednesday evening. Tragically, her body was recovered on Thursday afternoon.
Amada Mia Brown was on the sand with her family near Treasure Island Beach around 7:30 p.m. when she was pulled out to sea with her mother and sibling. According to reports, beachgoers leapt into action to save the family, but were only able to get the mother and the sibling to safety. The Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard all worked together to find little Amada, but after 24 hours, the rescue operation became a recovery mission.
“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.”
On the afternoon of June 11, the girl’s body was spotted by crews doing an aerial coastline search. At about 1:30 p.m., they found her near Christmas Cove, which is a quarter mile from Treasure Island Beach. Sgt. Lizbeth Gwisdalla of the Orange County Sheriff’s Department identified her to reporters as Amada Mia Brown of San Bernardino, California.
Her father, Aaron Brown, told NBC that Amada was his “sweet little baby,” and that she loved the beach.
“She loved the beach and she wasn’t afraid of water,” Brown said. “Sad that this happened to her. She didn’t deserve it. Just remembering her life and not trying to just get stuck on the fact that she’s gone is definitely helping me get through it.”
