BARSTOW, Calif. (VVNG.com) — The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office has formally charged Brandon Padilla-Aguilera, a Barstow father, with felony vehicular manslaughter and child endangerment following the death of his 2-year-old son, Xavier Padilla-Aguilera, who drowned after their vehicle was swept away by floodwaters last month.
The new charges come after the Barstow Police Department initially arrested Padilla-Aguilera on suspicion of murder, an announcement the department made on October 21.
According to the District Attorney’s Office, after reviewing the case submitted by police, prosecutors opted to file different charges based on the evidence.
The following charges were filed:
- Count 1: PC192(c)(1) – Vehicular Manslaughter With Gross Negligence
- Count 2: PC273a(a) – Child Abuse/Endangerment Under Circumstances or Conditions Likely to Cause Great Bodily Injury or Death, with a special allegation of willful harm or injury resulting in death
On September 18, 2025, at approximately 7:14 p.m., emergency crews responded to the 24000 block of West Main Street in Barstow after receiving reports of a vehicle caught in swift floodwaters. According to authorities, Padilla-Aguilera drove into the flooded roadway with his young son, despite hazardous conditions.
Witnesses told VVNG a UPS driver had stopped and positioned his truck across the roadway to alert other drivers not to cross due to the dangerous conditions. Padilla-Aguilera allegedly disregarded the warning and entered the flood, leading to the vehicle being carried into a wash.
Both Padilla-Aguilera and his son exited the vehicle but became separated in the water. He was later rescued from a small island formed by the flood by Barstow Fire Department personnel. His son Xavier was found deceased the following day on September 19, 2025.
After a month-long investigation, Barstow detectives arrested Padilla-Aguilera on October 17, 2025, and initially booked him on a charge of PC 187(a) Murder. However, those charges have since been updated by the District Attorney’s Office.
Padilla-Aguilera entered a not guilty plea at his arraignment. His bail was reduced to $200,000, and his next scheduled court appearance is a pre-preliminary hearing set for October 27, 2025, at the Victorville Superior Courthouse.
The case remains under investigation. Anyone with additional information is urged to contact Detective Bryce Carson at (760) 255-5183 or bcarson@barstowca.org. Anonymous tips may also be submitted through the WE-TIP hotline at 1-800-78-CRIME or www.wetip.com.
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