THE mother of missing baby Emmanuel Haro has broken her silence from behind bars with a dramatic claim about what really happened to her son.
Rebecca Haro insists her 7-month-old was kidnapped – even after cops arrested her and her husband on suspicion of murder.
The 41-year-old spoke in a tense jailhouse interview at Robert Presley Detention Center in Riverside, California, on Sunday.
“I will not give up. I will not give up on my baby,” she told The Orange County Register, appearing to cry.
Law enforcement, however, believes Emmanuel is dead, and arrested both Rebecca and her husband, Jake, 32, on Friday at their Cabazon home.
The pair are being held without bail and are due in court on August 26.
Authorities say her story doesn’t add up and have pointed to multiple inconsistencies in her account.
Initially, Rebecca informed the police that she had been ambushed while changing her son Emmanuel’s diaper outside a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Yucaipa, about 10 miles east of San Bernardino, on August 14.
She claimed she was knocked out and woke up to find her baby gone.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s deputies later declared the kidnapping report a lie.
Still, Haro doubled down in her jail interview, saying, “I want to be out looking for my baby.”
Her tears and public pleas, however, have fueled growing skepticism.
The Uvalde Foundation for Kids had originally offered assistance in the search efforts but withdrew after the parents ceased their search and failed to return any calls.
Rumors also began circulating that Rebecca had visited the Big 5 days earlier, asking staff about security cameras after reporting a car burglary.
The sheriff’s department has not confirmed those claims.
Detectives have since scoured the Haros’ home, seizing electronics and a car belonging to Jake.
The disappearance of Emmanuel Haro
California authorities are continuing their search for Emmanuel Haro. Rebecca, his mother, claimed her seven-month-old son was taken during a diaper change ambush. However, now both she and her husband, Jake, are facing murder charges.
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 reported that they had carried out extensive searches in the Yucaipa and Cabazon regions and had reviewed a substantial amount of surveillance footage.
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.
August 24: Jake, dressed in prison attire, accompanied officers during a search near the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley. Emmanuel has yet to be located.
Family insiders told NewsNation that photos and clothes of Emmanuel were missing, and that some floorboards possibly stained with blood were removed.
According to reports, blood was found inside the house.
As part of the investigation, police released video showing the parents’ arrest and their home being searched, including a barn and outbuildings.
Jake has also been seen in prison overalls assisting police in the grim search for his son’s remains.
Footage showed him and officers combing a remote valley near the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley, about 10 miles from the alleged abduction site.
Cadaver dogs were deployed, but no remains were found.
Cops have not said why they focused on that stretch of land.
Rebecca maintains her husband is innocent, saying he has been a loving father.
“He’s a good dad,” she insisted. “He would never hurt a baby.”
She added that Jake had treated her, her teenage child, their toddler daughter, and Emmanuel well since their 2021 marriage.
Jake previously faced a child cruelty case, but Rebecca brushed it aside, saying their relationship has been “wonderful.”
As of Sunday, Emmanuel remained missing, said sheriff’s spokeswoman Mara Rodriguez.
Police never issued an Amber Alert because they had no suspect description to go on.
The San Bernardino County sheriff’s office didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment by The U.S. Sun.
