The parents of missing California infant Emmanuel Haro are in custody, as accusations surface suggesting they may have killed him days before they reported his disappearance.
On Tuesday, Jake and Rebecca Haro were charged with murder and making a false police reports.
According to FOX 11, investigators said 7-month-old Emmanuel likely died at some point between August 5 and August 14.
Rebecca Haro previously stated, as reported by CrimeOnline, that she was allegedly knocked unconscious on August 14 in the parking lot of a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Yucaipa.
She claimed she visited the store with Emmanuel to purchase a mouth guard while her husband and their two other children were at a nearby park for her eldest son’s game.
According to Rebecca Haro’s account to the police, she was changing Emmanuel’s diaper in her truck when someone attacked her. She stated that upon regaining consciousness, her baby was missing.
Police interviewed the couple and found inconsistencies in their statements. Eight days later, they were arrested for murder.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department indicated on Friday, “Based on the evidence, investigators determined a kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur. It is believed Emmanuel is deceased, and the search to recover his remains is ongoing.”
On Sunday, Rebecca Haro told the Press Enterprise that she’s innocent.
“I will not give up. I will not give up on my baby,” Rebecca Haro said from the Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside.
She said someone had burglarized her vehicle, prompting her to ask if the store had security cameras prior to the supposed kidnapping.
“I want to be out looking for my baby,” she said, adding that her husband “would never hurt a baby.”
Meanwhile, Jake Haro has a 2023 conviction for felony child cruelty, as noted by the Los Angeles Times. Both he and his former wife, Vanessa Avina, had pled guilty after their 10-week-old daughter was hospitalized.
She had an “acute” fractured rib, six other rib fractures that were “healing,” a skull fracture, a brain hemorrhage, swelling in the neck, and a healing leg fracture, the Orange County Register reports.
Jake Haro was on probation when police arrested him.
He’s also facing felon in possession of a firearm charge and is due in court September 2 to answer that charge.
Meanwhile, the search for Emmanuel continues. Police are scheduled to provide an update Wednesday morning.
Check back for updates.
[Feature Photo: Emmanuel Haro/San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department]
