Introduction to the Case
Twelve days after they said their son had vanished from a parking lot outside a sporting goods store, the parents of baby Emmanuel Haro have been charged in his death. Emmanuel’s parents, Jake Haro, 32, and Rebecca Haro, 41, are scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday afternoon in Riverside County on one count each of murder with malice. They were also charged with making a false police report, a misdemeanor. Riverside County prosecutors are asking they be held in lieu of $1-million bail.
The Investigation Unfolds
Authorities say the couple faked the 7-month-old’s disappearance and the infant is presumed dead. Rebecca Haro said she was attacked in a Yucaipa parking lot on Aug. 14 outside a Big 5 store while changing Emmanuel’s diaper. But San Bernardino County sheriff’s investigators said there were inconsistencies in her initial statement, and when they confronted her about those details, they said she stopped cooperating. Authorities arrested the parents at their Cabazon home on Friday. San Bernardino County sheriff’s investigators are now focused on finding Emmanuel’s remains. Over the weekend, search teams scoured an isolated field in Moreno Valley. They were accompanied by Jake Haro but did not find anything, officials said.
Past Criminal History
The case has captured the fascination of true crime mystery fans, with the couple maintaining their innocence as a past criminal case against Jake Haro has resurfaced. Jake Haro was previously convicted of child abuse in 2023 with his previous wife. A medical report showed that his daughter was seriously injured when she was examined at a Hemet hospital in 2018, according to court records. The unidentified girl suffered head trauma and had multiple fractures and signs of past bone breaks, police said in an affidavit. Jake Haro was convicted of willful cruelty to a child and was on probation in that case when he was arrested last week.
Removal of Another Child
Following Emmanuel’s disappearance, Riverside County child protective services removed a 2-year-old child from the Haro home. It’s unclear what prompted the child’s removal and a county spokesperson declined to comment, citing state confidentiality laws. As the case has moved forward, Rebecca Haro has maintained the couple’s innocence and pleaded for people to look for her son. “I will not give up. I will not give up on my baby,” she told a reporter from the Southern California News Group while in custody. “I want to be out looking for my baby.”
Investigation Details
During the investigation, Emmanuel’s parents surrendered their phones to investigators and allowed detectives to search their home. Their vehicle was also taken by investigators as part of the search for their son, according to attorney Vincent Hughes, who acted as a de facto spokesperson for the couple in the early days of the investigation. After authorities said that the couple had stopped cooperating with the investigation, Hughes said that was not the case and that the child’s mother had just refused to take a polygraph test.
Conclusion
The case of Emmanuel Haro’s disappearance has taken a significant turn with the charging of his parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro, with murder. The investigation has revealed inconsistencies in the parents’ initial statements and a history of child abuse by Jake Haro. As the search for Emmanuel’s remains continues, the community remains hopeful that justice will be served. The case serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and the need for support systems to prevent such tragedies.
FAQs
Q: What are the charges against Jake and Rebecca Haro?
A: They are charged with one count each of murder with malice and making a false police report, a misdemeanor.
Q: What is the current status of the search for Emmanuel’s remains?
A: The search is ongoing, with authorities focusing on finding the infant’s remains in isolated areas.
Q: What is Jake Haro’s past criminal history?
A: He was previously convicted of child abuse in 2023 and was on probation at the time of his arrest.
Q: Why was a 2-year-old child removed from the Haro home?
A: The reason for the removal is unclear, and a county spokesperson declined to comment, citing state confidentiality laws.
Q: What is the next step in the investigation?
A: The investigation is ongoing, with authorities continuing to search for Emmanuel’s remains and gather evidence in the case against his parents.
