Barstow Father Arrested in Toddler's Flood Death

On Oct. 17, Barstow police arrested 26-year-old Brandon Padilla-Aguilera on a murder charge in the death of his 2-year-old son, Xavier Padilla-Aguilera, who was swept away during heavy rains on Sept. 18. The father and child were in a vehicle that was carried off West Main Street into a wash; Brandon was found on an island formed by floodwaters and later released from a hospital, while Xavier’s body was recovered the next afternoon in a San Bernardino County flood control channel south of the Mojave River. Barstow detectives say a month-long investigation, including witness interviews and evidence collection, produced an arrest warrant, though officials have released few specifics about how the child died. Booking records show Padilla-Aguilera was held at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s High Desert Detention Center, and local prosecutors have at times cited possible counts including vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, child abuse and special allegations for willful harm resulting in death. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact Detective Bryce Carson as the investigation and potential criminal proceedings continue, and family members described being devastated.