LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — The body of the 5-year-old girl who was swept away into the ocean in Laguna Beach has been recovered, authorities said Thursday afternoon.
The girl's father identified her as Amada Mia Brown.
Aaron Brown described his daughter as a bright child who loved life.
"She liked 'Moana,' she liked 'Frozen.' She was my little princess," he said at a vigil held for the girl.
The tragic news comes after the U.S. Coast Guard suspended the search for the girl Wednesday night after more than 30 hours covering more than 90-square miles trying to locate her.
Crews responded to reports of a missing swimmer near Treasure Island Beach Tuesday night. Officials said a mother and her two children were swept into the ocean by powerful water conditions near the shoreline.
Bystanders jumped into action and managed to rescue the mother and the girl's brother from the water. Brown said they are now home from the hospital.
Brown said internet comments that blame Amada's mother for the drowning are hurtful and causing more harm.
"The simple fact is that she was doing anything any mother would do, take her children out to have a good time. Unfortunately, the waves were a little bit too much," Brown said.
Several agencies joined the effort to find the girl.
"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 in a statement. "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."
Laguna Beach city officials said the 5-year-old's body was discovered during an early Thursday morning aerial search, 250-300 yards offshore from Christmas Cove, which is located about one-quarter mile north of the area where the girl was initially swept into the ocean — near Treasure Island Beach.
"Laguna Beach Marine Safety personnel responded to the location and recovered the decedent with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol," said the city in a news release.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department Coroner Division positively identified the body, the city said. Her family has been notified.
Officials urged the general public to think twice before getting into the water as a powerful swell creates dangerous conditions along Southern California's coastal areas. If you are not an expert swimmer, lifeguards say you should stay out of the water and stay safe on the sand.
Many of the region's south-facing beaches saw very large waves, most around 5 to 8 feet high, but some areas saw more intense conditions. At The Wedge in Newport Beach, the powerful south swell delivered historic sets on Tuesday with waves peaking at over 20 feet.
The hazardous conditions haven't let up, threatening to pull people into deep water within seconds. Those conditions are expected to last through Thursday.
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