Father arrested after 2-year-old son was swept away by floodwaters in Barstow last month
By Leticia Juarez
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BARSTOW, Calif. (KABC) — A 26-year-old father faces several charges after his 2-year-old son died in floodwaters in the Barstow area last month.
What started as a tragedy with the drowning of Brandon Padilla-Aguilera’s 2-year-old son has now turned into a criminal case.
A photo released by the Barstow Police Department shows Padilla-Aguilera with his hands cuffed behind his back as he’s led out of his home by police.
The 26-year-old was initially charged with murder in the death of his 2-year-old son, Xavier Padilla-Aguilera. The tragedy unfolded back on Sept. 18 and was captured on cellphone video as Padilla-Aguilera attempted to drive through rushing floodwaters along West Main Street.
His vehicle was swept away, and while he managed to escape with his son, the two became separated in the current. The boy’s body was later found following an extensive search.
A memorial now stands at the site where Xavier went into the water.
The Barstow Police Department did not provide details about what led to the arrest, but in a statement, said, “Over the course of the month-long investigation, detectives spoke with witnesses and gathered evidence. Based on evidence obtained, detectives secured an arrest warrant for him.”
They did not provide any further comment about what evidence they obtained.
During Padilla-Aguilera’s arraignment in a Victorville courtroom, the murder charge was dropped. Instead, the San Bernardino County District Attorney filed lesser charges, including vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death.
“After our office reviewed the evidence and facts submitted, we determined that the appropriate charges that we believe we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt are the ones filed,” the DA’s office said in a statement.
Through his court-appointed attorney, Padilla-Aguilera pleaded not guilty.
He’s due back in court next week. He’s currently being held on a $200,000 bond.
Eyewitness News reporter Leticia Juarez tried to speak to the family of Padilla-Aguilera, but they said they had no comment.
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