Father Charged with Vehicular Manslaughter After Son Swept Away in Flood

Tragic Flood Incident

• 💔 A father, Brandon Padilla Aguilera, survived after being swept away by floodwaters in Barstow, but his two-year-old son, Xavier, was found dead.
• ⚠️ Initially, the father was arrested for murder and child abuse by the Barstow Police Department.

Charges Downgraded

• ⚖️ The San Bernardino District Attorney's office later downgraded the charges to vehicular manslaughter with a second count of child abuse.
• ❓ Padilla Aguilera pleaded not guilty to the charges, with his bail set at $200,000.
• 🗓️ He is scheduled to be back in court on October 27th.

Investigation and Eyewitnesses

• 🔍 Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, with the initial murder charge suggesting they may have had evidence beyond the father trying to save himself.
• 🗣️ The decision to pursue a murder charge initially, before a final decision by the DA, is noted as a common police practice.
• 📉 The charge of vehicular manslaughter implies negligence resulting in death, a lower standard than implied malice.