The disappearance of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro has shaken Southern California, where residents have watched the case unfold with growing horror. What began as a desperate search for a kidnapped infant has now turned into a grim investigation, with the baby’s own parents arrested on suspicion of murder.
Authorities say the infant has been missing for more than a week, and despite extensive searches across multiple counties, his whereabouts remain unknown. The boy’s mother initially told deputies she was attacked and her child abducted, a claim that prompted vigils and volunteer-led searches. But as inconsistencies emerged in her account, investigators began focusing on the family itself.
The latest twist came when San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies stormed the family’s Cabazon home on August 22, arresting Rebecca and Jake Haro. Both are now being held without bail, while the hunt for their son’s remains continues.
What happened?
On the evening of August 14, Emmanuel’s mother, Rebecca Haro, told authorities that her baby had been kidnapped. According to a sheriff’s news release, she claimed that while she was outside her car in a Big 5 parking lot changing her son’s diaper, a man attacked her and knocked her unconscious.
“When she regained consciousness, she said her baby was missing,” the statement read.
Local station KTLA reported that friends and relatives rushed to the parking lot to help search for the child. Rebecca, who had a black eye, told reporters she had gone to the store after attending her older son’s football practice at a nearby park with her husband, Jake Haro, 32, and their two other children. Around 7 pm, she stopped at Big 5 to buy a mouthguard when the alleged assault took place.
Deputies launched an immediate search. But within days, they noted inconsistencies in her story. When questioned further, the sheriff’s office said Rebecca stopped cooperating with investigators.
Why were the parents suspected?
Detectives soon turned their attention to the parents after Rebecca gave multiple versions of what happened.
Court records show that in 2023, Jake was convicted of child cruelty and served 180 days in jail. His lawyer told Fox 11 Los Angeles that Jake is still on probation for that offence.
Two days after Emmanuel disappeared, Rebecca returned to the same parking lot to distribute leaflets with her son’s photo, pleading for his safe return. But by then, investigators had begun focusing on her and Jake after her accounts failed to match the evidence.
According to officials, security footage and other evidence contradicted her story. When asked to explain the discrepancies, she refused to continue cooperating.
Meanwhile, The New York Times reported that on Tuesday, Jake’s former wife applied for a restraining order against him in Riverside County, citing domestic violence.
In a statement, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said: “Based on the evidence, investigators determined a kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur. The search to recover his remains is ongoing.”
How were the parents arrested?
On August 22, deputies arrested Jake and Rebecca Haro at their Cabazon home. According to the Los Angeles Times, armored vehicles were used to breach the front gate.
“This morning, detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail and Specialised Enforcement Division arrested Jake and Rebecca Haro at their residence in Cabazon for PC 187 – Murder,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) said in a post on X.
The sheriff’s department added: “While these arrests mark a significant development, our focus remains on finding Emmanuel.”
Both parents were booked into county jail without bail. Officials confirmed no other suspects are being considered.
Where is the missing boy?
Despite the arrests, Emmanuel’s body has not been found. In an August 18 update, investigators said they had “conducted extensive searches” in Yucaipa and Cabazon, where the family lived.
Mara Rodriguez, public information officer for the sheriff’s department, told USA Today that authorities also followed up on reports of possible sightings in Kern County, nearly 180 miles north of San Bernardino. However, Emmanuel was not located.
Earlier, the sheriff’s office had said it was not ruling out foul play in the boy’s disappearance.
Under California law, a murder conviction carries a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison. For now, the search continues, and the fate of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro remains uncertain.
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