Photograph by Abdul Goni/Drik/Getty Photos and Court docket TV
What witnesses stated modifications every part right here.
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A California father is now dealing with severe felony expenses after his 2-year-old son died in a flooding incident that has left many individuals with questions on what actually occurred.
In keeping with Court docket TV, Brandon Aguilera-Padilla, 26, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and little one abuse following the loss of life of his younger son, Xavier Padilla. The incident occurred on September 18, 2025, when emergency responders in Barstow obtained a name a few car that had been swept away by floodwaters.
The Barstow Police Division stated each Brandon and Xavier had been within the automotive when floodwater took over the car. They each obtained out of the automotive, however the father and son obtained separated within the water. What witnesses advised police reveals one thing disturbing, as investigators spent the subsequent month speaking to individuals who noticed what occurred and gathering proof. Emergency crews began in search of the lacking toddler immediately, however Xavier’s physique was not discovered till the subsequent day, September 19.
The Expenses Modified Fairly Dramatically After His Arrest
Issues took a flip after Brandon was arrested on October 17, 2025. Police first arrested him on homicide expenses based mostly on what they discovered throughout their investigation. However then the district legal professional’s workplace modified that cost to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and added a toddler abuse cost on high of it.
Brandon went to courtroom for his arraignment and stated he was not responsible to each expenses. The choose set his bail at $200,000 and advised him to come back again to courtroom on October 27. Police haven’t stated what precisely the witnesses advised them, however no matter they stated was apparently severe sufficient for prosecutors to file felony expenses towards the daddy.
This case exhibits how severe the authorized issues might be when youngsters find yourself in harmful conditions, even when unhealthy climate or pure disasters are concerned. Comparable questions on following the suitable guidelines have come up in different current instances, like an Illinois police officer who was not too long ago arrested by ICE after working for over a decade.
The vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence cost means prosecutors suppose Brandon was driving in a means that put his son in actual hazard. The kid abuse cost means they imagine what he did was unhealthy sufficient to rely as felony neglect or placing his little one in hurt’s means.
The investigation remains to be happening because the case strikes via courtroom. Similar to harmful car issues on highways can result in unhealthy outcomes, this case is a reminder that drivers must hold their passengers protected. Brandon remains to be in custody whereas he waits for his subsequent courtroom listening to later this month.
