Emmanuel Haro, a seven-month-old baby, went missing on Thursday night after his mother was reportedly assaulted outside a store in Yucaipa. According to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were called before 8 p.m. to the 34000 block of Yucaipa Boulevard, where Emmanuel was reported missing.
Authorities said Emmanuel was last seen wearing a black Nike onesie and has brown hair and brown eyes.
His parents, Rebecca and Jake Haro, were very upset and went to the Big 5 parking lot—where the alleged kidnapping happened—to ask if anyone had information that could help find Emmanuel.
However, new details have emerged that raise questions about the parents’ account.
Father’s Past Abuse Allegations
Some social media posts claim that a woman, who said she used to work with Jake at Walmart, alleged that he had once hit one of his children badly enough to cause serious harm. The posts suggested Jake should be considered the main suspect.
A screenshot of the alleged comment is being widely shared on social media, but Hindustan Times could not find the original post.
It is possible that Angelique Vanarsdall, the person who allegedly made the comment, deleted it.
Another claim circulating online says Jake was convicted of “willful child cruelty” in 2023, but Hindustan Times could not verify this information independently.
Questions About Mother’s Account
Meanwhile, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said it could not rule out foul play in Emmanuel’s disappearance. Authorities reported finding “inconsistencies” in Rebecca Haro’s version of events.
When questioned, she chose to stop her interview. The department has not named Jake or Rebecca as suspects.
What Rebecca Haro Said Happened
Rebecca said she was about to change Emmanuel’s diaper when the kidnapper appeared. “Someone said, ‘Hola.’ I couldn’t even turn, I don’t remember nothing,” she told CBS News. She added to ABC News: “I got him out of the car seat, and I laid him down so I can get his diaper ready … all I remember, I saw white … I fell on the floor, and as soon as I got up, I couldn’t find my son. I checked all around my truck. And I ran into Big 5, and I asked the lady if she saw a baby or someone with a baby. She said no.”
Her father also made a heartfelt appeal for help: “To the person who took my son, please just give him back to us, we’ll forgive you. We won’t bother you, we just want our baby boy,” Jake said.
Emmanuel is still missing. Authorities said he is 24 inches tall, weighs about 21 pounds, is cross-eyed, and was last seen in a black Nike onesie with brown hair and brown eyes.
