The disappearance of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro has sparked an investigation by police into his whereabouts as deputies said in an update that “several search warrants” have been served at the family’s home and the car of Emmanuel’s father was seized.
Newsweek reached out to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) via email Tuesday night for comment.
Why It Matters
The original report by the child’s mother, Rebecca Haro, of the alleged abduction of Emmanuel in a parking lot of a shopping center raised immediate concerns of public safety.
What To Know
In an update on Monday, deputies said that “Investigators have served several search warrants at the Haro home and utilized K9s to aid in the investigation. Additionally, a large amount of surveillance video has been obtained from areas of interest and are being reviewed.”
The sheriff’s department added that “extensive searches” for the infant have been undertaken in the cities of Yucaipa and Cabazon.
Local media outlet KTLA in Los Angeles also reported that the vehicle belonging to Jake Haro, Emmanuel’s father, “was previously seized to be processed for evidence,” citing the sheriff’s department.
In an interview with KTLA, Rebecca previously said that the incident occurred outside Big 5 Sporting Goods on the night of August 14, where she went to buy a mouthguard for her older son’s football practice. Haro said she brought Emmanuel with her and noticed he needed to be changed.
“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 a follow up post about the investigation on Saturday, deputies said they interviewed Emmanuel’s mother and father and could not rule out foul play.
“Investigators interviewed multiple individuals, including Emmanuel’s parents Jake and Rebecca Haro. During those interviews, Rebecca was confronted with inconsistencies in her initial statement and declined to continue with the interview. At this point in the investigation, investigators are unable to rule out foul play in the disappearance of Emmanuel,” the update said in part.
Authorities did not issue a statewide AMBER Alert because no vehicle or suspect descriptions met the alert criteria, KTLA reported.
Jake’s history with law enforcement was also reported by The Orange County Register, noting that he had previously been convicted of felony willful child cruelty in June of 2023.
Vincent Hughes, defense attorney representing Jake and Rebecca Haro, commented on the father’s past, according to CBS News, saying, “There was a conviction for child cruelty, which Jake is not running from. He’s not hiding from his record; it’s publicly available information.”
CBS News also reports that a 2-year-old was removed from the parents’ home after the mother’s story stirred doubts among authorities.
“Not one thing has been cited as an inconsistency,” Hughes said, according to CBS News, adding that “law enforcement is being extremely tight-lipped about the situation.”
Local media outlet FOX11 LA is also reporting that Emmanuel’s parents are receiving death threats, according to Hughes.
What People Are Saying
The Uvalde Foundation for Kids in part: “We cannot in good conscience utilize our team and resources when so much is missing in this case,” the foundation said while also adding that “We hope law enforcement will continue to pursue the case so that this precious child may be found and placed in a safe environment.”
Hughes, according to CBS News: “Find Emmanuel, that’s all the family is asking for. Nobody is searching for a 7-month-old child, and that’s the biggest issue here.”
What Happens Next
Investigators in the sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division continue to work to locate Emmanuel and investigate the case surrounding his disappearance.
Anyone with information regarding Emmanuel’s disappearance is urged to contact the Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904. Callers wanting to remain anonymous can contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to wetip.com.
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