An overnight search for a 2-year-old boy who was swept away by floodwater amid a heavy storm in Barstow on Thursday evening came to a tragic end Friday with the discovery of the child’s body, 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 about 7:15 p.m. at Main Street and Lenwood Road, amid a heavy tropical storm that pounded the High Desert, 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 massive search effort, officials said.
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