Authorities arrested 26-year-old Brandon Padilla-Aguilera of Barstow, California, in connection with the death of his 2-year-old son, Xavier, who was swept away by floodwaters during a September storm.

He pleaded not guilty to vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence and child abuse or endangerment likely to result in great bodily injury, along with a special allegation of willful harm resulting in death.

The father and son were in a car that was overtaken by floodwaters, and they became separated after exiting the vehicle; Xavier’s body was recovered the following day.

Investigators conducted a month-long inquiry, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses before securing the arrest warrant, the USA Today has reported.

Bail was set at $200,000, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 28 in San Bernardino County Superior Court.