A tragic incident in Barstow, California, has led to the arrest of a 26-year-old father on murder charges following the death of his 2-year-old son in floodwaters, authorities reported on Tuesday.
Authorities detained the man last Friday, and he is currently held at the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department High Desert Detention Center, as stated by police officials.
The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s office informed Eyewitness News, an affiliate station in Los Angeles, that the father is charged with vehicular manslaughter due to gross negligence, along with child abuse under conditions likely to cause serious injury or death.
“We have also included special circumstances for intentional harm or injury resulting in death,” a representative from the DA’s office commented.
The Barstow Police Department revealed that given the gravity of the situation, their detective unit took charge of the investigation. Based on the gathered evidence, detectives were able to obtain an arrest warrant for the father.
Xavier Padilla-Aguilera, a 2-year-old with autism, tragically lost his life last month after being swept away by floodwaters while in a vehicle with his father.
As police officers and firefighters were responding to the scene, “it was reported that the occupants had been separated from the vehicle and were continuing to travel north with the floodwaters,” according to Barstow police. “Brandon Aguilera was located on an island that had been created by the floodwaters.”
The boy’s body was found last month following an extensive search.
An arraignment date for the father has not yet been scheduled.
Copyright © 2025 KABC Television, LLC. All rights reserved.
