2-Year-Old Autistic Boy Found Dead After Barstow California Flash Floods

A 2-year-old autistic boy named Xavier Padilla Aguilera tragically died after being swept away by flash floodwaters in Barstow, California. The incident occurred when Xavier and his father, Brandon Padilla Aguilera, were caught in floodwaters that overwhelmed their car along Main Street. While Brandon was rescued and treated at a hospital, Xavier was missing for over 20 hours before his body was found in a flood control channel south of the Mojave River. The flooding also caused widespread damage and prompted evacuation warnings in nearby communities due to potential mud and debris flows. Multiple agencies, including local police, fire departments, and volunteers, conducted extensive search and rescue operations. Authorities have expressed condolences to the family and continue investigating the incident while offering community support resources.