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A desperate search is underway for a 2-year-old boy who was separated from his father as floodwaters swept their car off a street in Barstow, Calif., during a flash flood Thursday night.
Video from a bystander showed a white sedan being forced sideways by strong currents flowing across Main Street between Lenwood Road and Sweeten Lane.
“My nephew is 2! His name is Xavier he is super small and he his missing from the car in the river. He has brown hair and eyes he’s a lighter skin tone. Please help us find him,” Leeanna Kay posted Thursday night.
The Barstow Police Department said in a post on Friday that Xavier Padilla Aguilera was separated from his father, identified as 26-year-old Brandon Padilla Aguilera, as they were being swept away by the flooding around 7:15 p.m.
Brandon Aguilera was eventually rescued from an island created by the flood. He was taken to Barstow Community Hospital, where he was later released.
Family members say 2-year-old Xavier was swept away in Barstow flood waters on Sept. 18, 2025. (Barstow Police Department) Family members say 2-year-old Xavier was swept away in Barstow flood waters on Sept. 18, 2025. (viewer image) Family members say 2-year-old Xavier was swept away in Barstow flood waters on Sept. 18, 2025. (viewer image) Family members say 2-year-old Xavier was swept away in Barstow flood waters on Sept. 18, 2025. (KTLA)
“The search for Xavier is ongoing,” police said.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Police, California Highway Patrol, City of Barstow Public Works, MCLB Fire, Desert Ambulance, and San Bernardino County Fire’s Swift Water Rescue Team were all requested to assist Barstow police.
The flood came amid a day of powerful thunderstorms that caused mudslides across portions of Southern California, including Oak Glen, where a mudslide quickly rushed down a hillside, overtaking portions of a parking lot.
