VIDEO: Brandon Padilla-Aguilera, Barstow Dad Charged in Drowning Death of 2-Year-Old Autistic Son After Driving Through Flooded Street — Critics Say Prosecutors Went Too Far

A California father, Brandon Padilla-Aguilera, 26, of Barstow, has been charged with vehicular manslaughter and child abuse in the drowning death of his 2-year-old autistic son, following a tragic incident where he drove into floodwaters during a September storm.

The father was driving home from his grandmother’s funeral with his nonverbal son, Xavier, on September 18, when he attempted to cross a flooded street. The vehicle became stuck, and rushing waters tore the toddler from his father’s arms as they tried to escape. Xavier’s body was found the next day in a nearby flood control channel, according to ABC News.

A month after the tragedy, investigators arrested Padilla-Aguilera, who was booked by the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on suspicion of murder. Detectives said the arrest followed a “month-long investigation” during which they gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses, though authorities did not elaborate on what new information led to the charges.

Prosecutors ultimately filed vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and child abuse under circumstances likely to cause great bodily injury or death. Padilla-Aguilera pleaded not guilty at his first court appearance and remains held on $200,000 bond, with a court date set for next week.

The case has drawn widespread debate online, with many questioning whether prosecutors went too far.

“What he did was extremely foolish, and he will live with that tragic mistake the rest of his life… but to arrest this man is beyond insanity,” one commenter wrote.

Others echoed similar sentiments:

“Unless the dad was drunk or high, he shouldn’t be charged for anything.”

“I don’t see the point in criminalizing being simple-minded. It’s not like he abandoned the kid.”

“Stupidity is not a crime.”

While critics accuse prosecutors of overreach, others say the case underscores the dangers of underestimating floodwaters — and the devastating consequences of a single moment’s decision.