Amada Mia Brown, 5, Killed by Sneaker Wave at Laguna Beach
Jennifer Gaeng
2 hours agoThe body of 5-year-old Amada Mia Brown has been recovered off the coast of Laguna Beach, California, two days after she was swept into the ocean by a large wave near Treasure Island Beach. The Orange County Sheriff's Department Coroner Division positively identified her on Thursday, June 12. She was from San Bernardino.
Amada, her mother, and her brother were swept into the water by powerful surf around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, June 9, near the shoreline at Treasure Island Beach. Bystanders jumped in and rescued the mother and the boy. Amada was carried out to sea. The two bystanders who entered the water were treated at the scene and transported to the hospital in stable condition.
Her body was discovered during an early Thursday morning aerial survey, roughly 250 to 300 yards offshore near Christmas Cove Beach — about a quarter mile north of where she was swept in. Laguna Beach Marine Safety personnel recovered her with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol.
"A large wave came up and pulled them into the ocean," said Marine Safety Chief Kai Bond.
Laguna Beach Mayor Mark Orgill called it "one of the most heartbreaking incidents I have witnessed during my time serving this community."