A desperate search is underway in Barstow, California, for a 2 -year -old boy who was dragged by floods on Thursday night, authorities said.
Xavier Padilla Aguilera was traveling with his father, Brandon Padilla Aguilera, 26, when his vehicle was swept from a main road in Barstow, California, about 115 miles northeast of Los Angeles, hurrying flood waters around 7:14 pm, according to the Barstow police.
A search for a 2 -year -old boy who was swept by the waters of the flood in the Barstow area, California, on September 19, 2025.
Ryan Marko
The father and the son separated from his vehicle when the flood waters took them to the north, police said. Brandon was then rescued and taken to Barstow Community Hospital, where he was treated and discharged.
Xavier, whom his family told ABC News Station Kabc-TV has autism and is not verbal, was last seen with black pants, a black shirt and black and white Nike shoes.
The incident occurred during a severe weather day that brought powerful thunderstorms to the south of California. In Oak Glen, the dramatic video obtained by ABC News showed a massive landslide slip on a hillside, destroying everything to its path.
A search for a 2 -year -old boy who was swept by the waters of the flood in the Barstow area, California, on September 19, 2025.
Leanna Tackett
A massive response from the multiple agency was launched, including teams from the San Bernardino Sheriff, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Ferrocarriles Police, the California road patrol and the Swift Water Rescue Water Rescue rescue rescue from San Bernardino County. The local volunteers of the desert recovery group and the community members joined the search effort, according to the authorities.
“We have a group of volunteers who are still looking for,” said Xavier’s aunt, Leanna, to ABC Kabc-TV news station. “If you can, if you live in the area, if you have bright lights … anything that can help us look through the earth, the mud, anything to help us find it, we appreciate it very much.”
Police suspended the official search until Friday’s daylight, according to Kabc-TV.
Anyone is urged with information about Xavier’s whereabouts to communicate with local authorities immediately.
