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Missing Barstow Toddler Found Dead After Flash Flood Swept Family Car

Authorities said the child was located in a flood-control channel after a 20-hour search triggered by storms tied to Tropical Storm Mario's remnants.

Overview

  • Police identified the victim as 2-year-old Xavier Padilla Aguilera, who was swept from a white sedan on West Main Street near Lenwood Road on Thursday evening.
  • Rescuers found his father, 26-year-old Brandon Padilla Aguilera, stranded on a flood-formed island; he was taken to Barstow Community Hospital and later released.
  • Search teams located the child's body Friday afternoon in the San Bernardino County Flood Control Channel south of the Mojave River.
  • About 150 personnel and volunteers, including swift-water units, sheriff's deputies, CHP, railway police and the Desert Recovery Group, took part in the operation, which paused overnight for safety.
  • City and police officials offered condolences, provided counseling resources and urged residents to avoid flooded roadways as heavy rains from Mario's remnants caused flash floods and mudslides across the region.