California Woman Claims Assault Prior to Baby’s Abduction

(KTLA) A California couple is pleading for the public’s help after they say their 7-month-old baby was kidnapped in Yucaipa. 

On Aug. 14, around 7 p.m., Rebecca Haro said she, her husband and their two other children were at a local park for their son’s football practice. 

She drove over to a Big 5 Sporting Goods store on the 34000 block of Yucaipa Boulevard to buy a mouthguard for her older son. She brought her baby, Emmanuel Haro, along with her.

“I came over here and parked right on the edge,” she told KTLA’s Ellina Abovian. “When I was driving over, I smelled the baby had went to the restroom, so I said, ‘Don’t worry, we are going to change you.’” 

After parking, Rebecca laid the baby down next to the car seat to change his diaper. The last thing she remembers is hearing a stranger’s voice before she was attacked.

“I was going to get the diaper and somebody said, ‘Hola,’ and I don’t remember anything since,” she recalled in tears. “I woke up here on the floor and I didn’t see Emmanuel.” 

Rebecca woke up with a black eye and with her baby nowhere in sight. She frantically searched around the car and ran into the Big 5 store before she called 911.

San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies responded to the scene and dispatched K9 scent-tracking dogs to track the child down.

“Everybody came,” Rebecca said. “The dogs, the helicopters.” 

But so far, authorities have not located Emmanuel. The boy’s father, Jake Haro, said his family doesn’t have enemies and they can’t imagine why anyone would want to take their baby. 

“Whoever took my son, please return him,” he said. “We just want him back. We won’t do anything to you. Just give us our son. Keep him safe, don’t hurt him, make sure you feed him and change him.”

“If you know anything, please come forward or take him to the cops,” Rebecca said. “Please come and bring my son back. I’m begging you.” 

The baby boy is approximately 24 inches tall and weighs about 21 pounds. He has brown hair, brown eyes and is cross-eyed, authorities said. He was last seen wearing a black Nike onesie.

Authorities said an AMBER Alert was not activated because the case did not meet the criteria as there is no suspect or vehicle description.

Friends and family members have begun a search party effort on Friday night.

Anyone who knows Emmanuel’s whereabouts or has information on the case is urged to call 911 or SBSD Sheriff’s Dispatch at 909-387-8313.