A tragic incident involving the drowning of a two-year-old boy in Barstow has led to serious legal charges against the child’s father. On Tuesday, authorities charged Brandon Aguilera-Padilla, 26, with vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence following the death of his son, Xavier Aguilera-Padilla, during a September rainstorm. The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office also charged him with willful child endangerment likely to cause injury or death.
The charges stem from an incident where the young boy drowned in a wash during a storm. Initially thought to be an accident, further investigation led authorities to believe the circumstances involved criminal negligence. Jacquelyn Rodriguez, a spokeswoman for the District Attorney’s Office, announced an additional special allegation of willful harm or injury resulting in death against Aguilera-Padilla. Court records indicate that he has denied these allegations.
During his appearance in Superior Court in Victorville, Aguilera-Padilla pleaded not guilty to all charges. The prosecution argues that his actions demonstrated gross negligence, which significantly contributed to the tragic outcome. The charges of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence suggest that Aguilera-Padilla’s conduct behind the wheel was a key factor in the incident.
If convicted, Aguilera-Padilla faces severe legal consequences. The charge of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence is a serious offense, potentially leading to imprisonment. The additional charge of willful child endangerment highlights the prosecution’s stance that his actions placed the child in significant danger.
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