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CA toddler found dead after car swept in flood
A 2-year-old boy in Barstow was found dead hours after he and his dad were swept away in floodwaters.
BARSTOW, Calif. - A desperate search for a California toddler who was swept away by floodwaters in San Bernardino County has come to a tragic end.
What we know:
On Friday evening, the Barstow Police Department confirmed that 2-year-old Xavier Padilla Aguilera was found dead after an extensive 20-hour search.
Around 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 18, 26-year-old Brandon Padilla Aguilera and his son, Xavier, were in their vehicle and attempted to cross a flooded section of a road on Main Street, between Lenwood Road and Sweeten Lane. Their vehicle was then swept off the roadway by floodwaters and was swept into a wash north of West Main Street, the Barstow Police Department said.
Somehow, the two got separated from the vehicle and then separated again as they were swept away.
The Barstow Police Department said Brandon was located on an island that had been created by floodwaters. He was taken to a local hospital and later released.
An extensive search was then underway for little Xavier.
Unfortunately, Xavier was located deceased on Friday around 2:44 p.m. in the San Bernardino County Flood Control channel south of the Mojave River, the police department stated.
The incident occurred as the remnants of Tropical Storm Mario moved through Southern California.
Xavier had just celebrated his second birthday on Sept. 15. His aunt, Leeanna Kay, told FOX 11 he has nonverbal autism.
"We need all the help we can get," Kay said.
"Please help us bring him home"
What they're saying:
Kay has been posting on her social media channels hoping to get the word out about her missing nephew.
"Please help us bring him home! We need every prayer and every person available to help us look! We need your help for this little baby!" one post read. "I'm begging everyone available to help our family! We need every person who can search to help. We need everyone who can pray to pray. We need all the help please."
The Source: This story was written with information provided by Xavier Padilla's family members and the Barstow Police Department.