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By Anna Commander
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The parents of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro were formally charged with murder on Tuesday in connection with his reported disappearance earlier this month, according to local media outlet KTLA.
Newsweek reached out to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, which said there is no new information to release as of Tuesday afternoon
Why It Matters
The original report by Emmanuel's mother, Rebecca Haro, of the alleged abduction in a parking lot of a shopping center, raised immediate concerns of public safety.
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The baby's disappearance prompted a multi‑agency investigation, execution of search warrants, seizure of evidence and community alarm across the Inland Empire, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the boy's last known moments and how investigators were prioritizing leads.
What To Know
KTLA reports that the Riverside County District Attorney's Office said in a court document that Jake and Rebecca Haro "did willfully and unlawfully" commit "murder". Emmanuel's body has not been recovered as of Tuesday.
Authorities on Friday arrested Jake Haro, 32, and Rebecca Haro, 41, at their home in Cabazon, California, on suspicion of murder charges. They were taken into custody after an armored vehicle "rammed down their front gate," the Los Angeles Times reported.
KTLA notes that the couple was also charged with a misdemeanor count of making a false police report following the reported disappearance. The couple's first appearance in court was scheduled today.
In a previous interview with KTLA, Rebecca originally said that an abduction occurred outside Big 5 Sporting Goods on the night of August 14, where she went to buy a mouth guard for her older son's football practice. The mother said she brought Emmanuel with her and noticed he needed a diaper change.
"I was going to get the diaper and somebody said, 'Hola,' and I don't remember anything since," Rebecca, who had a black eye, said in tears, KTLA reports. "I woke up here on the floor," she said, adding that she did not see the child afterward.
In an earlier post about the investigation, deputies said they interviewed Emmanuel's mother and father and could not rule out foul play.
On Sunday, deputies conducted a search for Emmanuel with cadaver dogs and Jake. The search took place on the westbound shoulder of the 60 Freeway near Gilman Springs Road in Moreno Valley, the SBCSD said.
"The search has concluded, and Emmanuel was not located. The investigation to find Emmanuel continues," the post on X by deputies noted.
In the court document, posted to X by NewsNation Correspondent Nancy Loo, the District Attorney's Office also notes in part that "The People herby give notice of the People's intent to admit evidence of prior acts of domestic violence."
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What People Are Saying
Daniel Chapin, Founder of the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, in a statement sent to Newsweek on Tuesday: "The filing of these charges sends a clear message that those entrusted with a child's safety will be held accountable," said Chapin. "Our mission is to advocate for the safety of all children, and this includes cases of negligence and abuse within the home. This development, while tragic, is a necessary move to ensure justice is served for Emmanuel. Now we must find him."
San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department to Newsweek via email: "We don't have any new information to release. Please follow our social media pages for future updates."
What Happens Next
Law enforcement said searches would continue while investigators seek additional evidence and review surveillance and forensic results.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division at 909‑890‑4904 or submit anonymous tips to We‑Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME.
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