California Search Intensifies for 2-Year-Old Swept Away in Floodwaters

A 2-year-old boy named Xavier Padilla, who has nonverbal autism, went missing after his family's vehicle was swept away by floodwaters in Barstow, California, during severe weather linked to Tropical Storm Mario. The incident occurred as Xavier was traveling with his father, Brandon Padilla, who was rescued and treated at a local hospital. A multi-agency search effort involving local police, fire departments, and volunteers is ongoing to find Xavier, with family members making urgent pleas for public help and prayers. Flooding and mudslides have caused widespread damage and multiple emergencies across Southern California, complicating search efforts. Xavier's family continues to raise awareness through social media, emphasizing the need for community assistance in locating him. The search is active as of the morning following the incident, underscoring the critical situation amid Southern California's storm aftermath.