{"id":23150,"date":"2025-10-21T13:55:44","date_gmt":"2025-10-21T20:55:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/a-2-year-old-died-in-last-months-flooding-in-barstow-now-his-father-is-charged-in-his-death\/"},"modified":"2025-10-21T13:55:45","modified_gmt":"2025-10-21T20:55:45","slug":"a-2-year-old-died-in-last-months-flooding-in-barstow-now-his-father-is-charged-in-his-death","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/los-angeles\/a-2-year-old-died-in-last-months-flooding-in-barstow-now-his-father-is-charged-in-his-death\/","title":{"rendered":"A 2-year-old died in last month’s flooding in Barstow. Now his father is charged in his death"},"content":{"rendered":"

Introduction to the Incident<\/h1>\n

During heavy rains last month, floodwaters swept away a car that carried 2-year-old Xavier Padilla Aguilera and his father, separating the two during a torrential downfall that filled the streets of Barstow with mud and rain. The boy\u2019s body was found hours later in the San Bernardino County flood control channel. The Barstow Police Department offered condolences to his family in a statement confirming the child\u2019s death, calling it a \u201ctragedy.\u201d<\/p>\n

Investigation and Arrest<\/h2>\n

But on Tuesday, police announced they had arrested the young boy\u2019s father, Brandon Padilla-Aguilera, in connection with his death. Barstow police officials revealed few details of their case or what led detectives to suspect foul play in the 2-year-old\u2019s death. But, according to a statement, investigators with the Barstow Police Department continued to look into Xavier\u2019s death after the flooding receded. \u201cOver the course of the month-long investigation, detectives spoke with witnesses and gathered evidence,\u201d according to a statement from police. \u201cBased on evidence obtained, detectives secured an arrest warrant for him.\u201d Barstow police booked Padilla-Aguilera on suspicion of murder last week.<\/p>\n

Charges Filed<\/h3>\n

On Tuesday, the San Bernardino County district attorney\u2019s office filed two charges against the 26-year-old father, including one count of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, and a second count of child abuse under circumstances of a condition likely to cause great bodily injury, a spokesperson said. Prosecutors are also alleging a special allegation of willful harm or injury resulting in death.<\/p>\n

Details of the Incident<\/h4>\n

During the Sept. 18 storm, emergency crews were called at about 7:14 p.m. to investigate a vehicle that had been swept away by floodwaters in the 24000 block of West Main Street in Barstow. The vehicle, officials said, had been overtaken by rising waters and carried into a wash north of West Main Street. Padilla-Aguilera and his son had reportedly gotten out of the car but, at some point, were separated. Padilla-Aguilera was ultimately found on an island created by the floodwaters, but emergency crews continued to search for more than 20 hours for the 2-year-old boy.<\/p>\n

Custody and Bail<\/h5>\n

On Friday, Padilla-Aguilera was taken into custody. Officials released no details about the role he might have played in the child\u2019s death. Barstow police referred questions about the case to a Facebook post on the arrest. County jail records indicate Padilla-Aguilera was booked on suspicion of murder with $1-million bail.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h6>\n

The arrest of Brandon Padilla-Aguilera in connection with the death of his 2-year-old son, Xavier, during last month’s flooding in Barstow, has brought a new layer of complexity to the tragedy. As the investigation continues, the community awaits more details on what led to this outcome. The case serves as a reminder of the devastating consequences of natural disasters and the importance of thorough investigations into tragic events.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h3>\n