Barstow Father Charged in Toddler's Flood Death

On Sept. 18 in Barstow, Calif., 26-year-old Brandon Padilla-Aguilera and his 2-year-old son Xavier were swept from their vehicle by floodwaters; Padilla-Aguilera was rescued clinging to a small island and the child’s body was recovered the next day. After a month-long investigation, Padilla-Aguilera was arrested Oct. 17 and was initially booked on suspicion of murder; prosecutors later filed charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and child abuse/endangerment with a special allegation of willful harm resulting in death. He has pleaded not guilty, is held on $200,000 bond, and is due back in court; authorities have not disclosed what specific evidence led to the charges. Family members have defended him, saying the pair were returning from a funeral and insisting he would not intentionally harm his child, while his court-appointed attorney has not publicly commented. The incident occurred amid flash-flood warnings after heavy rains from Tropical Storm Mario, and investigators are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Bryce Carson or submit tips through WE-TIP.