A 5-year-old girl from San Bernardino, Amada Mia Brown, tragically lost her life this week after being swept out to sea by a powerful wave in Laguna Beach. She was set to start kindergarten in the San Bernardino City Unified School District later this summer, as noted by communications manager Maria Garcia.
“We deeply mourn Amada’s passing and extend our thoughts to her family during this incredibly difficult time,” Garcia expressed.
Amada was also expected to attend a new student orientation next month, Garcia added.
The incident occurred when Amada and her family were at Treasure Island Beach. An unexpected wave pulled them into the water. Thankfully, bystanders managed to rescue her mother and brother, but Amada was not so lucky.
The two individuals who assisted in the rescue were taken to a local hospital. Their injuries were unspecified, but they were reported to be stable.
Following the girl’s disappearance, the U.S. Coast Guard and several partner agencies organized an extensive search effort that covered around 90 square miles for more than 30 hours.
Footage obtained showed officials combing the area from the shoreline and cliffs using bright flashlights on Tuesday night.
The search was called off Wednesday after officials assessed that further searches were unlikely to yield results.
However, on Thursday morning, Laguna Beach Police conducted an aerial search and found Amada’s body approximately 250 to 300 yards offshore, roughly 400 meters from where she was last seen.
Her father, Aaron Brown, paid a heartfelt tribute to his daughter at the wake after her body was discovered.
He described Amada as a joyful child with a love for life, especially near water. “She adored ‘Moana’ and ‘Frozen.’ She was my little princess,” he shared.
Online fundraising efforts have been initiated to support Amada’s family, with over $12,000 raised by Friday afternoon.
Tragically, the same storm surge that took Amada’s life also claimed another victim in Santa Cruz County Wednesday. Reports indicate one person died, and another remains in critical condition after being swept away at Bonny Doon Beach, according to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Office.
