Tragedy in Barstow: Community Mourns the Loss of 2-Year-Old Xavier Padilla Aguilera
BARSTOW, Calif. – What began as a desperate search for a missing child ended in profound tragedy on Friday afternoon, when officials confirmed that 2-year-old Xavier Padilla Aguilera had been found deceased after being swept away by powerful floodwaters in the Barstow area.
The heartbreaking incident occurred Thursday evening around 6:30 p.m. along Main Street, as storms pushed torrents of water into the San Bernardino County Flood Control channel. Xavier was in the car with his father, 26-year-old Brandon Padilla Aguilera, when the rushing floodwaters overtook the vehicle.
A Father’s Desperate Fight
According to family members, Brandon managed to escape the submerged vehicle and attempted to pull his young son to safety despite not knowing how to swim. In the chaos, both were swept away by the fast-moving current.
“My son got out the car, tried to get out the car—he doesn’t know how to swim. He got my grandson out. My son went under. Now my grandson’s missing,” said Carolyn Tackett, Xavier’s grandmother, speaking tearfully near the site of the incident.
First responders rushed to the scene, and firefighters were able to rescue Brandon from a small island formed by the floodwaters. He was transported to a hospital, where he was treated for hypothermia, cuts, and water in his lungs. Family members later confirmed he had since been released, though still in fragile health.
The Search and Discovery
Emergency crews, volunteers, and residents of Barstow spent hours searching for Xavier through the night and into Friday morning. Volunteers brought lights, equipment, and sheer determination, refusing to give up hope.
Sadly, the search ended in grief. Officials confirmed that Xavier’s body was recovered around 2:44 p.m. Friday in the flood control channel south of the Mojave River.
“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time,” city officials said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to those affected by this tragedy.”
A Community’s Pain
The anguish of Xavier’s loss is compounded by the fact that the family had just laid another loved one to rest. “Yesterday we had a funeral for my mom,” Tackett shared, reflecting on the wave of heartbreak that has struck her family in such a short span of time.
Xavier’s aunt, Leanna, described the emotional toll on Brandon, saying, “He’s devastated. His vitals were unstable, his temperature wasn’t stable. He had water in his lungs. He had cuts and bruises all over his legs. He’s completely swollen. He has an infection from the water, and I’m just going to keep him in prayers.”
Despite the grief, the family expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support from neighbors, volunteers, and the wider Barstow community. “I don’t even like Barstow, but today I love Barstow,” Tackett said. “Because everybody that’s out here right now is all from Barstow, trying to help me look for my grandson. They’ve been out here all night.”
Remembering Xavier
Xavier was described by family as a sweet and loving child. At just 2 years old, he was already deeply cherished by those around him. He had light brown curly hair, a gentle spirit, and a smile that could brighten anyone’s day.
He also lived with autism and was nonverbal, a fact that made him all the more vulnerable during the ordeal. His family recalls him last wearing black pants and a black shirt with black and white Nike shoes.
Though his time on earth was heartbreakingly brief, Xavier’s memory will live on in the hearts of his family and the Barstow community who rallied together in the desperate hope of bringing him home.
Holding on to Hope and Each Other
This tragedy underscores both the unpredictability of natural disasters and the strength of community during times of crisis. While the Padilla Aguilera family faces unimaginable grief, they are surrounded by support from countless friends, neighbors, and even strangers who stood with them during their darkest hours.
As Barstow mourns, the hope is that Xavier will be remembered not just for the tragedy of his passing, but for the joy he brought, the innocence he embodied, and the love that will forever keep his memory alive.
