Introduction to the Case

The mystery of a missing 7-month-old boy in Yucaipa took another twist when authorities confirmed Wednesday that they removed a 2-year-old child from the home of the same couple that reported the infant missing last week.

Background of the Disappearance

It’s unclear what prompted officials with child protective services to remove the 2-year-old. A spokesperson for Riverside County declined to comment, citing state confidentiality laws. Nearly a week after the disappearance of Emmanuel Haro in Yucaipa, investigators have released little new information on the case and an unconfirmed report that the boy was spotted in Bakersfield over the weekend resulted in no new leads, according to authorities.

Investigation Details

Law enforcement officials say they cannot rule out foul play in the case. An attorney for the boy’s father acknowledged that the father was convicted of child endangerment in 2023 involving another child but insists he was not involved in the disappearance of his own son. Rebecca Haro said she was attacked and knocked unconscious while changing her son’s diaper outside her vehicle in front of a sporting goods store in Yucaipa on Thursday evening. When she woke up, Emmanuel was gone, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Previous Incidents

Since then, she and her husband, Jake Haro, have been repeatedly questioned by authorities. They turned over all their electronic devices and their vehicle was seized by investigators on the same day the boy was reported missing, according to authorities. Riverside County authorities confirmed Wednesday that they removed a 2-year-old child from the Haro home after Emmanuel was reported missing, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department.

Complications in the Case

The removal is another twist in an already complicated case. Rebecca Haro stopped speaking with investigators when they confronted her about inconsistencies in her initial statement, according to the Sheriff’s Department. Vincent Hughes, a family attorney who has previously represented Jake Haro in criminal court, said the mother was distraught during the interview and declined to take a polygraph test when sheriff’s investigators asked her. But she and her husband are cooperating with the investigation, Hughes said, and just want answers.

Previous Convictions

Hughes said he represented Jake Haro when he was convicted of child endangerment in Riverside County in 2023 but there have been no charges filed in connection with Emmanuel’s disappearance. “As far as we know, nobody has been charged with a crime,” he said. “In America, you’re innocent until proven guilty. That hasn’t changed.” The child endangerment case began in October 2018, when Jake Haro and his then wife, Vanessa, were interviewed by Hemet police after their baby was examined at a local hospital, according to a police affidavit seeking an arrest warrant.

Evidence of Previous Abuse

The unidentified girl had a skull fracture, several healing fractures to her ribs, a brain hemorrhage, swelling in the neck and a healing tibia fracture in her leg. A doctor who examined the child told police the girl had “intracranial hemorrhage, brain injury, cervical spine injury and retinal hemorrhages” and other injuries, the affidavit said. Jake Haro told police that he accidentally dropped the baby into a center divider in their kitchen sink while giving her a bath, but the doctor said the injuries did not fit that narrative.

Conclusion

The case of the missing 7-month-old boy in Yucaipa remains a mystery with many unanswered questions. The removal of a 2-year-old child from the same home adds another layer of complexity to the investigation. As the search for Emmanuel continues, the community remains hopeful for his safe return.

FAQs

• Q: What is the current status of the investigation into Emmanuel’s disappearance?
  A: The investigation is ongoing, with authorities exploring all possible leads and considering the possibility of foul play.
• Q: What happened to the 2-year-old child removed from the Haro home?
  A: The details surrounding the removal of the 2-year-old child are not publicly available due to state confidentiality laws.
• Q: Has anyone been charged in connection with Emmanuel’s disappearance?
  A: As of the latest update, no one has been charged in connection with Emmanuel’s disappearance.
• Q: How can the public help in the search for Emmanuel?
  A: Anyone with information regarding this incident is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact WeTip at (800) 78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.