A tragic sequence unfolded in Barstow last month when a father and his 2-year-old son were swept away by floodwaters, an incident that has since culminated in the father’s arrest on murder charges. On September 18, Brandon Padilla-Aguilera, 26, and his son, Xavier, were in their vehicle when they attempted to cross a flooded section on West Main Street, which led to them being carried away, as reported by FOX LA.
While Padilla-Aguilera was found and taken to a hospital before being released, the search for Xavier continued until the toddler was found deceased in the San Bernardino County Flood Control channel the following afternoon, embroiling a community in heartache and questions. Over the course of the weeks that followed, Barstow Police Department detectives conducted an investigation, speaking with witnesses and securing evidence, which led to Padilla-Aguilera's arrest on October 17, noted CBS News Los Angeles.
The Barstow Police Department has since provided information that Padilla-Aguilera was booked for murder after the investigation into the incident concluded, offering details where the vehicle was carried into a wash north of West Main Street and both father and son were separated by the floodwaters this detail was provided in a statement obtained by KTLA, which also mentioned Xavier was later found on an island created by the floodwaters.
Authorities are continuing to request any further information regarding the case, urging those who can assist to contact Detective Bryce Carson at (760) 255-5183 or through email at [email protected], and people who wish to remain anonymous have the option to reach out to WeTip at 1-800-78-CRIME or through their website, as indicated by the statement released by the Barstow Police Department and featured in the coverage by FOX LA.
In a turn of events that underscores the gravity of the case, the San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office filed charges against Padilla-Aguilera, which include vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death, as well as a special allegation of willful harm or injury causing death, according to additional details furnished by KTLA. Padilla-Aguilera's bail was set at $1 million and he was scheduled to appear in Victorville Superior Court on Tuesday morning.
