Officials in California have announced that they possess strong indications regarding the location of the remains of Emmanuel Haro, a 7-month-old child who has been missing for nearly two weeks. Emmanuel was reported missing on August 14 at approximately 7:47 p.m. local time, following a report by his mother about an attack outside a retail store on Yucaipa Boulevard, as stated by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Office on August 15.
This tragic situation was deemed preventable by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who expressed concerns in a press conference held on Wednesday. During this conference, authorities confirmed that the search for Emmanuel is ongoing. They suspect that the child was subjected to severe abuse over an extended period, with both parents likely aware of the mistreatment, according to Riverside County District Attorney Michael Hestrin.
The charges against the child's parents, 32-year-old Jake Mitchell Haro and 41-year-old Rebecca Renee Haro, include murder and making a false police report. These arrests were made at their residence in Cabazon last week, as confirmed by officials. Hestrin stated that the filing in this case reflects the belief that baby Emmanuel suffered from ongoing abuse, which ultimately led to his tragic death.
Authorities highlighted that Jake Haro has a history of child abuse. He was previously arrested in 2018 for abusing another child, yet a judge granted him probation, a decision Hestrin criticized as a significant judicial mistake. This prior case left the other child bed-ridden, leading Hestrin to assert, “If that judge had done his job, Emmanuel would be alive today.”
Emmanuel's parents appeared in court on Tuesday for a brief session lasting less than five minutes, where a bail of $1 million was set for each. Their arraignment is scheduled to continue on September 4. Prior to the press conference, officials indicated that the child is presumed dead, and extensive searches are being conducted for his remains.
On Sunday, authorities conducted another search along the westbound shoulder of the 60 Freeway, near Gilman Springs Road in Moreno Valley, with cadaver dogs and the child's father present. Unfortunately, this search concluded without locating Emmanuel. Initial reports indicated that the child's mother claimed she was assaulted by an unknown male while changing Emmanuel's diaper outside their vehicle, after which she lost consciousness and awoke to find her child missing.
The Riverside County Sheriff's Department has conducted numerous interviews regarding the child's disappearance, including with his parents. They have also carried out extensive searches in the areas surrounding Yucaipa and Cabazon, serving multiple search warrants at the Haro home. Additionally, officials are reviewing a significant amount of surveillance footage from relevant locations.
In an emotional interview with Los Angeles ABC station KABC before her arrest, Rebecca Haro described her son as a "happy boy" and pleaded for anyone with information to return her child. “Please don’t hurt my son,” she implored on August 16. Similarly, Jake Haro made a public appeal, urging whoever took their son to return him safely.
As the investigation continues, Rebecca Haro is being held at the Robert Presley Detention Center, while Jake Haro is at the Larry D. Smith Correctional Facility, according to jail records.
