Authorities searching for a missing 7-month-old boy say his mother has given “inconsistent” statements to investigators, while his father has a prior conviction for child cruelty.
Emmanuel Haro was last seen in the parking lot of a store on Yucaipa Boulevard in California on Thursday, Aug. 14, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. His mother, Rebecca Haro, reportedly told police that she was attacked before her child was taken from the scene.
Rebecca, who was seen with a black eye, told ABC 7 Eyewitness 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.”
An Amber Alert was not issued because no descriptions of a suspect or vehicle were available, according to KTLA. Security footage from the area where Emmanuel disappeared has also not been found.
The sheriff’s department said in a statement that they have “worked around the clock” to locate the boy, deploying K9 scent-tracking dogs, but neither Emmanuel nor a suspect has been found.
Investigators later noted “inconsistencies” in Rebecca’s statement and have not ruled out foul play.
“Investigators interviewed multiple individuals, including Emmanuel’s parents Jake and Rebecca Haro,” the SBCSD said in a news release. “During those interviews, Rebecca was confronted with inconsistencies in her initial statement and declined to continue with the interview.”
According to The Orange County Register, court records indicate that Jake Haro, the boy’s father, was convicted of child cruelty. The conviction stemmed from injuries sustained in 2018 by Jake’s then 10-week-old daughter, whom he shares with his previous wife, Vanessa Avina. Both pleaded guilty to the charge in 2023.
In an update on Monday, Aug. 18, the SBCSD said investigators have conducted extensive searches in Yucaipa and Cabazon, seeking Emmanuel and any evidence that might clarify the circumstances of his disappearance.
They added that authorities have served “several search warrants” at the Haro home. “Additionally, a large amount of surveillance video has been obtained from areas of interest and are being reviewed,” the release states.
