Emmanuel Haro’s Parents Charged with Murder as Police Say 7-Month-Old Was Never Kidnapped

Rebecca and Jake Haro have been charged with murder in connection with the disappearance of their son, Emmanuel, with authorities confirming that the 7-month-old was never kidnapped.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) announced the arrests on Friday, Aug. 22, stating both parents were booked into a Riverside County jail without bail. No other arrests have been made, and no additional suspects have been identified.

Rebecca, 32, initially reported Emmanuel missing on Thursday, Aug. 14, claiming that an attacker struck her and abducted the infant outside a local store.

However, on Friday, Aug. 22, authorities clarified that Emmanuel’s alleged kidnapping never occurred, based on extensive evidence, including multiple interviews, search warrants, and detailed digital and electronic analysis.

“It is believed Emmanuel is deceased, and the search to recover his remains is ongoing,” the SBCSD said. “These arrests mark a significant development, but our focus remains on finding Emmanuel.”

Sheriff Shannon Dicus added, “The circumstances surrounding this investigation are tragic, and we will continue to search for Emmanuel. I trust our justice system will hold the parents accountable.”

The investigation began after Rebecca reported Emmanuel missing on Aug. 14. She told KTLA that she and Jake had been at a local park with their three children for their son’s football practice. She said she drove to a Big 5 Sporting Goods store to buy a mouthguard for Emmanuel and took him with her. According to her account, while preparing to change Emmanuel, she heard someone say “hola” and then lost consciousness. When she awoke, she claimed, her son was gone.

Over the weekend, authorities noted what they described as inconsistencies in her story. “Rebecca was confronted with inconsistencies in her initial statement and declined to continue with the interview,” the SBCSD said in a statement on Sunday, Aug. 17.

Previously, in 2023, Jake Haro was convicted of child cruelty after a 10-week-old girl suffered broken bones in October 2018, according to The Orange County Register, citing court records. He pleaded guilty to willful child cruelty in June 2023 and was sentenced to 180 days in the sheriff’s work-release program, given a suspended four-year prison term, and ordered to attend a child abuser treatment program.

Jake was also scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 2 on an unrelated charge of being a felon or addict in possession of a firearm, the Register reports.