THE parents of 7-month old Emmanuel Haro have been arrested a week after claiming their toddler was abducted from a parking lot.
Little Emmanuel has been missing since his mother claimed he was abducted while she was changing his diaper in the backseat of her car at a sporting goods store parking lot on August 14.
The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department confirmed to The U.S. Sun that parents Jake Haro, 32, and Rebecca Haro, 41, were arrested on Friday morning.
Authorities also confirmed that there was an active operation at the Haros’ residence.
The Haros are facing murder charges, according to police.
The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department added that their search for little Emmanuel continues.
Surveillance footage from the family’s residence in Cabazon, California, approximately an hour east of Riverside, revealed a significant law enforcement presence, including SWAT teams and forensic units.
Police were observed inspecting three separate structures on the property, which included a single-story house and a deteriorating barn.
Multiple helicopters circled the large estate, while officers were seen leaving the buildings with numerous boxes of evidence.
Investigators had previously executed a search warrant at the home on Monday and seized Jake’s vehicle the following day.
EMMANUEL ‘ABDUCTED’
Initially, when Emmanuel vanished, Rebecca Haro claimed that an unfamiliar man approached her from behind, greeted her with “hola,” and then rendered her unconscious.
She told police she was knocked out so fast she never even saw the man’s face.
“I saw white,” Rebecca told reporters at the time, adding that when she regained consciousness her 7-month-old son was gone.
Nevertheless, as authorities continued to question the parents about the supposed kidnapping, the couple ceased cooperating with law enforcement, according to San Bernardino police.
Authorities determined they found “inconsistencies” with Rebecca’s statements.
Investigators did not publicly disclose Rebecca’s conflicting statements, but said after initial interviews with the couple they both declined to be questioned further.
Jake then hired an attorney, who claimed the father was still cooperating with the investigations into his son’s disappearance.
The disappearance of Emmanuel Haro
SAN Bernardino police are probing the disappearance of missing baby Emmanuel Haro. The U.S. Sun breaks down the timeline surrounding his disappearance.
August 14: Emmanuel’s mom, Rebecca, reports him missing. She claimed she was attacked near a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Yucaipa.
August 15: San Bernardino cops issue a statement, saying the search for Emmanuel is ongoing. They reveal that he has not been found.
August 16: Cops say they cannot rule out foul play.
August 17: Police visit the Haro family home.
August 18: Police say they have conducted extensive searches in the Yucaipa and Cabazon areas. They also reveal that a large amount of surveillance footage has been reviewed.
August 19: San Bernardino cops probe an alleged sighting of Emmanuel. Police have also seized a car belonging to Emmanuel’s dad, Jake.
August 20: Cops say Emmanuel still hasn’t been found. Police also receive they are probing a fire that broke out near the Haro family home.
August 21: One week since Emmanuel disappeared.
August 22: Jake Haro and Rebecca Haro are arrested and charged with murder. Police continue to search for little Emmanuel.
‘DEATH THREATS’
The mystery surrounding little Emmanuel’s disappearance sparked outrage by locals to the point that Rebecca and Jake claimed they were received death threats and were forced to call 911, according to NewsNation.
The news outlet reported that the couple called police on Wednesday, claiming items were stolen from their porch and strangers were banging on their door.
Demonstrators who gathered near the couple’s home in Cabazon reportedly chased after their car when Rebecca and Jake left the property.
“It’s a bit of a circus outside of the house,” NewsNation producer Allison Weiner said.
“These people are walking onto the lawn, they’re walking up to the house, they’re banging on the door. I saw some of that behavior.”
Weiner added that Jake appeared to be “very frightened.”
