2yearold found dead after being swept away in California flash flooding Rene Ray De La Cruz and Brian Day, USA TODAY NETWORK September 20, 2025 at 11:58 PM 0 A frantic search for a 2yearold boy swept away by flash flooding in California came to a tragic end when he was found dead on Sept.
- - 2-year-old found dead after being swept away in California flash flooding
Rene Ray De La Cruz and Brian Day, USA TODAY NETWORK September 20, 2025 at 11:58 PM
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A frantic search for a 2-year-old boy swept away by flash flooding in California came to a tragic end when he was found dead on Sept. 19, authorities said.
Xavier Padilla Aguilera, 2, and his father, 26-year-old Brandon Padilla Aguilera, went missing when their car was overcome by rushing water at about 7:15 p.m. in Barstow, in the Inland Empire region of California, amid a heavy tropical storm, according to the Barstow Police Department.
The father and son became separated from their car and from one another as it was swept to the north, leading to a search effort that lasted over 20 hours, officials said.
A child and his father went missing Thursday night as flood waters swept their vehicle away in Barstow. The incident occurred as a tropical storm brought heavy rain, flooding and debris flows to parts of the High Desert.
Rescuers found Brandon Aguilera clinging to a small island in the floodwater a short time later, police said. He was treated at a hospital and released, the Victorville Daily Press, part of the USA TODAY Network, reported.
Officials and residents searched the area through the night looking for Xavier.
2-year-old found deceased
Barstow city officials announced on Sept. 19 that the boy's body had been recovered at about 2:45 p.m. in the San Bernardino County flood control channel south of the Mojave River.
"It is with profound sadness that the City confirms the discovery of a young child who lost their life in the recent flooding incident on Main Street at Lenwood Road," city officials said in a written statement. "After more than 20 hours of extensive search and rescue operations, emergency responders located the child's body this afternoon."
"Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time," the statement said. "We extend our deepest condolences to those affected by this tragedy."
Search effort spanned 20 hours
An extensive search and rescue effort involving both authorities and volunteers sprang into action as word the missing toddler spread the night of Sept. 18.
Just after sunset, Alfredo Renteria recorded a video of rushing flood waters sweeping a white car away near Main Street and Lenwood Road, near the Mojave River. The brake lights of the vehicle appeared to illuminate just as the car disappeared into the water.
A car was swept away by floodwaters near the Mojave River in Barstow on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025.
Helicopters from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department and California Highway Patrol could soon be seen flying over the Mojave River near Highway 58.
Numerous volunteers from the Desert Recovery Group and other citizen volunteers joined in the effort, working "around the clock in challenging conditions," the city said.
"Their dedication and professionalism during this operation exemplify the best of our community's spirit," the city said.
Remnants of a tropical storm brought heavy rain, flooding and debris flows on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, to parts of the San Bernardino Mountains.Storms flood roads, stranding drivers
Storms on Sept. 18 flooded streets, roads and washes in Apple Valley, Barstow, Hesperia, Lucerne Valley and other parts of the Mojave Desert. The flooding came from thunderstorms fed by the remnants of former Tropical Storm Mario, which moved in the Pacific off the Baja California and dissipated south of California. Its moisture moved northward, causing locally heavy rainfall, the National Hurricane Center said.
The afternoon of Sept. 19, San Bernardino County Sheriff's officials issued an evacuation warning for the communities of Forest Falls, Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and the Oak Glen area due to the potential for mud and debris flows from the approaching storm. Evacuation warnings were lifted later in the evening.
The San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, in unified command with CAL FIRE, responded to mud and debris flows, which left several roads impassable and impacted homes in Forest Falls, Oak Glen and Potato Canyon, south of Big Bear.
Remnants of a tropical storm brought heavy rain, flooding and debris flows on Thursday, Sept. 18, 2025, to parts of the San Bernardino Mountains.
There were no reports of injuries or missing persons connected to the flooding incident in the mountain communities, but authorities responded to a report of people stranded in vehicles, according to the fire department. A group of about 10 people traveling in six to seven vehicles were stranded on Highway 38, in the area of Jenks Lake.
Though cut off by debris in both directions, the group made it to safety and their needs were being evaluated by emergency crews, officials said. Caltrans was also working to clear the roadway and restore access.
Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Child swept away in California flash flooding found dead
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