The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced on Friday that investigators believe missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro is dead and arrested the baby’s parents.
Investigators concluded that the reported kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur and charged the baby’s parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro, with murder. Deputies stated that they do not believe there are any other suspects in the baby’s death.
“The circumstances surrounding this investigation are tragic, and we will continue to search for Emmanuel,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus said. “I trust our justice system will hold the parents accountable.”
Deputies confirmed to CBS News Los Angeles that they were conducting an operation at the family’s Cabazon home on Friday morning. Drone footage captured both unmarked law enforcement vehicles and an armored vehicle outside the residence.
According to his parents, Emmanuel Haro was kidnapped from the parking lot of a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Yucaipa on August 14. Rebecca Haro claims she was punched while changing her baby’s diaper. When she awoke, she reported that her baby and attacker had left.
SBSD investigators have continued to search for the infant in the days since he was reported missing, but he has yet to be found. As their investigation progressed, they identified “inconsistencies” in Rebecca Haro’s story and stated that they could not rule out foul play.
They claim to have recovered a substantial amount of security footage from the area surrounding the Big 5 store, which is currently being reviewed.
Days after the search began, investigators changed the case classification from kidnapping to critical missing child investigation. Around the same time, Jake Haro retained legal counsel.
He was previously convicted in 2023 after admitting to willful child cruelty.
SBSD investigators served a search warrant at the Haros’ home last week as part of a separate operation. A 2-year-old child was removed from the home at the time and placed in the custody of Riverside County child protective services.
Jake Haro’s lawyer told CBS News Los Angeles that investigators dug holes in the backyard, cut holes in the ground, and searched the property with K-9s. The parents allegedly gave detectives password-protected cell phones and handed over their vehicle.
Jake Haro’s ex-wife, who is also the mother of his oldest child, filed a restraining order against him earlier this week. According to court records, she wants his visitation stopped due to Emmanuel’s disappearance and the removal of another child from their home.
Investigators have also followed up on several tips and reported sightings of the missing child, but none of them have led to his location.
