Crews searched more than 30 hours after a powerful wave pulled a family into rough water at Treasure Island Beach.
LAGUNA BEACH, CA — The U.S. Coast Guard suspended its search Wednesday evening for a 5-year-old girl swept into rough surf near Treasure Island Beach after a wave pulled her family into the ocean.
The decision ended a large rescue and recovery effort that drew lifeguards, divers, rescue boats, helicopters and Coast Guard crews to the Orange County shoreline. The girl remained missing after crews searched through the night and into Wednesday, as high surf and strong currents battered Southern California beaches.
The incident began about 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, when the Laguna Beach Emergency Communications Center received a 911 call about multiple swimmers in distress near Treasure Island Beach. City officials said a mother and her two children had been near the shoreline when powerful water swept them into the ocean. Bystanders entered the water and rescued the mother and one child, while the girl was not found. Laguna Beach Marine Safety Chief Kai Bond said earlier that teams were expanding the search to nearby beaches and using divers, rescue vessels and air resources. “At this point we haven’t found her,” Bond said Wednesday as crews continued to search the area.
The Coast Guard said its watch standers in Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach received a report around 8 p.m. Tuesday from Laguna Beach Fire Department dispatch that a child had been struck by a wave and swept into rough surf. The agency launched a 45-foot response boat from Station Los Angeles-Long Beach, MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters from Air Station San Diego and Air Station Ventura, and the Coast Guard Cutter Halibut from Marina Del Rey. Capt. Stacey Crecy, commander of Coast Guard Sector Los Angeles-Long Beach, said the decision to suspend a search was “extremely difficult.” Crews searched more than 30 hours and covered more than 90 square miles before suspending the operation pending further developments.
Laguna Beach officials said the search started where the girl was last seen and expanded along the coastline and offshore based on currents, wave action and search assessments. The city said rescue watercraft, shore-based personnel, dive teams, aerial resources and other specialized assets were used over more than 24 hours. Two bystanders who helped rescue the mother and one child were evaluated at the scene and taken by the Laguna Beach Fire Department in stable condition. Officials did not release the girl’s name. The child who was rescued with the mother was identified by local reporting as the girl’s brother. Authorities said the mother and rescued child were stable after the incident.
The search unfolded during a dangerous surf event along the Southern California coast. The National Weather Service reported that many beaches in the region were seeing waves of 5 to 8 feet through at least Thursday night, with some areas higher. In Orange County, surf had reached about 10 feet, above the usual level of less than 6 feet, meteorologist Philip Gonsalves said. He said the high surf was strongest at beaches facing south or southwest as large swells from Southern Hemisphere winter storms moved into the area. In Laguna Beach, Marine Safety officers kept people out of the water near the Montage Resort on Wednesday while rescue crews worked offshore.
City officials said Laguna Beach Marine Safety and partner agencies concluded the dedicated search and recovery operation at sunset Wednesday. Beginning Thursday, Marine Safety personnel and partner agencies were set to shift to ongoing monitoring of offshore and shoreline areas during normal public safety duties. The city said lifeguards and other safety workers would continue to remain watchful while carrying out regular operations. No criminal investigation or legal proceeding was announced in connection with the incident. Officials said additional information would be released if new developments occur.
Laguna Beach Mayor Mark Orgill called the incident one of the most heartbreaking events he had witnessed while serving the community. “Our hearts go out to the young victim’s family, friends, and all those affected by this tragic loss,” Orgill said. He also praised lifeguards, police, firefighters and assisting agencies that worked in hazardous conditions. The city said search teams faced large surf, powerful currents and limited underwater visibility as they entered the same waters that had pulled the girl from shore. The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Harbor Patrol, the Coast Guard and other agencies assisted Laguna Beach Marine Safety throughout the search.
The Coast Guard said the case remains suspended pending further developments, while Laguna Beach public safety crews continue routine shoreline and offshore monitoring. As of Thursday, June 11, officials had not announced that the girl had been found.
Author note: Last updated June 11, 2026.