A 5-year-old girl who was swept into the ocean off Treasure Island Beach in Laguna Beach on the evening of June 9 has been found dead, officials confirmed on Thursday. The discovery ends a more than 30-hour search-and-rescue effort that drew resources from multiple agencies across Southern California.
The child's body was spotted during an early-morning aerial survey of the coastline Thursday, when Laguna Beach Police Department officers identified a possible match approximately 250 to 300 yards offshore of Christmas Cove—roughly a quarter mile north of where she was first swept away. Laguna Beach Marine Safety personnel recovered the little girl with assistance from the Orange County Sheriff's Department Harbor Patrol.
Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles–Long Beach Command Center received notification from the Laguna Beach Fire Department at 8:00 p.m. on June 9 and immediately launched search-and-rescue resources, according to the Coast Guard's statement to NTD News. An Urgent Marine Information Broadcast was issued, and the first Coast Guard asset arrived on scene at 9:08 p.m. Assets deployed included a Station Los Angeles/Long Beach Response Boat-Medium, an Air Station Ventura MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, an Air Station San Diego MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, and the CGC Halibut, based out of Marina del Rey.
By the time the Coast Guard suspended its search on the evening of June 10 at 8:02 p.m., crews had covered 90.9 square miles of ocean in 30.73 hours of continuous searching. Throughout the operation, the Coast Guard worked alongside the Laguna Beach Fire Department, Laguna Beach Marine Safety Division, Laguna Beach Police Department, Laguna Beach Park Rangers, and the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
The search unfolded amid dangerous ocean conditions along the Southern California coast. The National Weather Service had issued Beach Hazard Statements for Orange County and San Diego County coastal areas, warning of a south swell arriving from 190 degrees with an 18-to-20-second wave period, generating surf of 4 to 7 feet with sets reaching up to 9 feet along south-facing beaches.
"Remain out of the water due to hazardous swimming conditions, or stay near occupied lifeguard towers," the NWS Los Angeles advisory stated. "Rock jetties can be deadly in such conditions, stay off the rocks."
In the wake of the tragedy, the Coast Guard urged the public to check weather conditions through the National Weather Service before visiting the beach, monitor VHF Channels 16 and 22A for periodic Coast Guard weather broadcasts, and always wear a Coast Guard-approved life jacket. Anyone who spots a person in distress on the water is urged to contact the Coast Guard's Sector Los Angeles–Long Beach Search and Rescue Office, which is available 24 hours a day at 310-521-3815.
Additional information regarding the cause and manner of the child's death will be released by the Orange County Sheriff's Department Coroner Division.