The body of a 2-year-old boy who was swept away in Southern California flooding last week has been found after an extensive search, police said.
Recovery crews, after searching for more than 20 hours, located the body of Xavier Padilla Aguilera at 2:44 p.m. Friday in the San Bernardino County Flood Control channel south of the Mojave River, the Barstow Police Department said.
Xavier became separated from his father shortly after 7 p.m. Thursday after their vehicle was swept off West Main Street in Barstow as remnants of Tropical Storm Mario unleashed heavy rain and mudslides across the region.
His father, Brandon Padilla Aguilera, 26, was rescued by firefighters on an island formed by the floodwaters, taken to Barstow Community Hospital and later released, police said.
Crews had rescued 10 travelers in at least six vehicles who were stranded on Highway 38 near the San Bernardino National Forest during the flooding, San Bernardino County Fire reported. No one else was reported injured or missing.
“Our hearts go out to the family and loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time,” Barstow police said in a statement. “We extend our deepest condolences to those affected by this tragedy.”
