Overview
- San Bernardino County prosecutors filed counts of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and child abuse, plus a special allegation of willful harm causing death.
- Brandon Padilla-Aguilera, 26, was arrested Oct. 17 after detectives secured a warrant following interviews with witnesses and evidence collection over several weeks.
- He remains held at the High Desert jail on $1 million bail after police initially booked him on suspicion of murder.
- The Sept. 18 incident occurred when a car on West Main Street in Barstow was swept into a wash during a storm, separating Padilla-Aguilera from his 2-year-old son, whose body was found the next day.
- The Sheriff’s Department said the child died by drowning, while prosecutors said the investigation revealed negligent actions and noted further evidence will be presented at preliminary hearings; the defense denied guilt at Tuesday’s first appearance.