'She loved the beach’: Father mourns after 5-year-old swept away at Laguna Beach
LAGUNA BEACH, CALIFORNIA: Following the death of 5-year-old Amada Mia Brown, who was swept into the ocean by powerful surf in Laguna Beach on Tuesday, 9 June, her father, Aaron Brown, is mourning the death of his "sweet little baby" during an emotional community vigil.
While bystanders successfully rescued the girl's mother and brother from the dangerous waters, the young child was carried out to sea before her body was later recovered on Thursday, June 12 following a multi-agency search operation along the Southern California coastline.
Dad remembers daughter after tragic incident
During the gathering of family and friends held to honor her memory, Aaron Brown shared his grief while reflecting on the cheerful personality of his daughter.
He recalled her deep affection for the ocean and her love for life, emphasizing how difficult the loss is for their family.
“She liked ‘Moana,’ she liked ‘Frozen.’ She was my little princess,” he told ABC 7.
Describing the depth of his loss, he added, “She’s just my sweet little baby. She’s a bright child. She’s just 5 years old. She loved the beach… She was never afraid of the water.”
Amada’s life and her love for music
Those who knew Amada have described her as a radiant presence who had an incredible impact on everyone around her.
A GoFundMe page established to assist the family with funeral costs highlighted her creative passions, noting that she dreamt of becoming a singer and found inspiration in music, from Jessie Reyez to KPop Demon Hunters.
The page remembers her as a child who filled "every room she entered with joy, laughter, and light. She was a happy, cheerful, and loving little girl whose smile could brighten anyone's day."
It further stated, "She was deeply loved by her mother, family, friends, and everyone fortunate enough to know her."
Amada’s final moments
The incident unfolded on Tuesday evening when hazardous water conditions pulled Amada, her mother, and her brother into the ocean near the shoreline.
While bystanders were able to save the mother and brother, Amada was unfortunately carried away by the current, eventually being found near Treasure Island Beach.
Two of the individuals who attempted to assist in the rescue were transported to a local hospital with unspecified injuries but have since been reported in stable condition.
As the family navigates this devastating loss, the community is rallying to provide financial aid, with the GoFundMe campaign raising $4,733 toward its $30,000 goal to ensure the family can "give Amada the beautiful and dignified farewell she deserves."
