A 5-year-old girl tragically drowned at Laguna Beach, California, as confirmed by officials on Thursday. The incident occurred amid adverse water conditions.

On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, a lifeguard rescue boat patrolled the area near the Montage Resort, searching for the child swept out to sea. This tragic event unfolded when the girl, her mother, and sibling were caught by strong ocean currents, according to officials.

During a routine aerial survey of the coastline, authorities spotted a body 250 to 300 yards offshore at Christmas Cove, slightly north of Treasure Island Beach. This is near the location where the child was struck by a wave on Tuesday evening, as reported by both the police and the Coast Guard.

The Laguna Beach Marine Safety Department, with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol, retrieved the girl’s body. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department coroner confirmed her identity, and the family has been notified of this heartbreaking loss.

Initial reports from the Laguna Beach Marine Safety indicated that the mother and another child were rescued promptly by nearby beachgoers after the trio was swept into the ocean. However, the search for the second child proved to be a challenging endeavor.

The U.S. Coast Guard halted the search operations on Thursday after more than 30 hours and extensive coverage of over 90 square miles. This decision was challenging given the elevated surf conditions.

Tuesday’s surf conditions in Laguna Beach were reported as higher than usual. Swells in the region can ascend up to 9 feet, prompting the National Weather Service to issue beach hazard warnings, including alerts for strong rip currents and high waves.