The tragic case of California parents Rebecca Renee Haro, 41, and Jake Mitchell Haro, 32, has taken a dark turn as they face serious charges. The couple has been charged with the murder of their 7-month-old son, Emmanuel, following allegations that they falsely claimed he was kidnapped from a store parking lot.
On Tuesday, the Haros were arraigned in a Riverside County court where they were formally charged with murder and making a false police report. Court records indicate that the couple is currently being held on bail set at $1 million. As of now, their attorney has not responded to requests for comment.
According to Rebecca Haro, the couple's baby Emmanuel was allegedly kidnapped outside a Big 5 Sporting Goods store located in Yucaipa, San Bernardino County, on the evening of August 14. However, investigators quickly uncovered inconsistencies in their story, leading to further scrutiny. San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus stated in a news conference that, following extensive interviews, search warrants, and analysis of digital evidence, it was determined that no kidnapping had occurred, and tragically, Emmanuel is believed to be deceased.
Riverside County District Attorney Michael Hestrin emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “The filing in this case reflects our belief that baby Emmanuel was abused, a victim of child abuse over time, and eventually, because of that abuse, he succumbed to those injuries.” Hestrin also revealed that investigators have a significant lead on the location of Emmanuel's remains and noted some level of cooperation from the suspects in this ongoing search.
In a shocking revelation, Hestrin disclosed that Jake Haro has a documented history of child abuse. He was previously prosecuted in 2023 for willful child cruelty against a child from a previous marriage. Despite the severity of the charges, a visiting judge from San Bernardino County handed down a suspended sentence, allowing Haro to serve only 180 days in a work release program instead of prison time. Hestrin criticized this judicial decision, stating, “If that judge had done his job as he should have done, Emmanuel would be alive today.”
Rebecca Haro claimed that while she was changing Emmanuel's diaper outside their vehicle, an unidentified man assaulted her, rendering her unconscious. Upon waking, she reported that Emmanuel was missing. In an interview with KTLA-TV, she recounted, “I was going to get the diaper, and somebody said, ‘Hola.’ I don’t remember anything since.” Rebecca was visibly injured during the interview, sporting a black eye.
Jake Haro made a public plea for his son's safe return, saying, “He’s just a baby. Just give our son back.” Meanwhile, Rebecca Haro's mother defended the couple, insisting that they would never harm their child. As the investigation unfolds, Dicus mentioned that “hundreds of hours” of forensic analysis led to the conclusion that the original kidnapping narrative was fabricated, prompting the investigation to shift to Riverside County, where the Haros reside.
Riverside County Child Protective Services has since taken custody of the couple's 2-year-old child while Emmanuel’s case continues to be a focal point for law enforcement. Anyone with relevant information related to this tragic case is encouraged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904 or anonymously at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or via wetip.com.
