A 5-year-old girl was swept into the ocean at Laguna Beach, California, during intense water conditions, according to officials. The incident occurred while the child was in the water with her mother and sibling.
On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, a lifeguard rescue boat patrolled the area near the Montage Resort, searching for the child. The following day, the Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department reported spotting the child’s body 250 to 300 yards offshore near Christmas Cove. This location is about a quarter mile north of Treasure Island Beach, where the child encountered a wave and was swept into the sea on Tuesday evening.
The recovery of the girl’s body involved the efforts of the Laguna Beach Marine Safety personnel and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department coroner positively identified the child, and her family has been informed of the tragic outcome.
The powerful water conditions that led to this heartbreaking incident also swept the mother and another child into the ocean. Bystanders acted quickly and successfully rescued them. The search for the second child was called off after extensive efforts.
The U.S. Coast Guard had been actively searching for more than 30 hours, covering an area of over 90 square miles, before suspending the search on Thursday.
Earlier, on Tuesday, elevated surf conditions were noted in Laguna Beach, with swells reaching up to 9 feet. These conditions prompted beach hazard warnings throughout Southern California, with the National Weather Service warning of high wave heights and rip currents.