Topline: Deputies arrested the parents of a 7-month-old boy from California on murder charges, turning the search for the missing child into a homicide investigation.
Published: August 24, 2025 9:40 am ET
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From left, Jake Haro, center inset Emmanuel Haro, right Rebecca Haro being arrested on suspicion of murder (via San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department)
CABAZON, CA — Authorities arrested a southern California couple on murder charges a week after they reported their 7-month-old son missing.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) said it believes the infant, Emmanuel Haro, is dead and was not kidnapped, according to a NewsNation report.
In a news release, the sheriff’s department said Rebecca Haro claimed someone attacked her and took the baby in a store parking lot on August 14. This report sparked an urgent search for the baby.
Investigators grew suspicious of the mother’s claim due to inconsistencies in her story. She declined to be interviewed further when they confronted her.
Authorities conducted extensive searches in Cabazon and Yucaipa for Emmanuel. “Based on the evidence, investigators determined a kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur,” the sheriff’s department wrote in a statement on August 17. “It is believed Emmanuel is deceased and the search to recover his remains is ongoing.”
Sources told NewsNation that investigators found blood inside the Haro home. The baby’s photos and clothes had also been removed.
The parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro, were arrested on suspicion of murder on the morning of Friday, August 22. SWAT teams breached the property and forcibly entered using a BearCat vehicle.
According to The Orange County Register, Jake Haro had a previous conviction for child abuse. In 2018, his 10-week-old daughter from a past relationship was hospitalized with serious injuries. The girl, now 7, was reportedly left unable to walk or speak because of her injuries.
Citing court documents, Haro pleaded guilty to willful child cruelty in June 2023. He was sentenced to 180 days in a work-release program, given a suspended four-year prison sentence, and ordered to attend a child abuser treatment program.
The Orange County Register also reported that Haro was to appear in court on September 2 for a separate charge of being a felon or addict in possession of a firearm.
“The circumstances surrounding this investigation are tragic and we will continue to search for Emmanuel,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in a news release. “I trust our justice system will hold the parents accountable.”
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to http://wetip.com.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Sheriff’s Department Believes Missing 7-Month-Old is Dead, Arrests Parents
Deputies arrested the parents of a 7-month-old boy from California on murder charges, turning the search for the missing child into a homicide investigation.
By Kate Byrd
Published: August 24, 2025 9:40 am ET
From left, Jake Haro, center inset Emmanuel Haro, right Rebecca Haro being arrested on suspicion of murder (via San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department)
CABAZON, CA — Authorities arrested a southern California couple on murder charges a week after they reported their 7-month-old son missing.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) said it believes the infant, Emmanuel Haro, is dead and was not kidnapped, according to a NewsNation report.
In a news release, the sheriff’s department said Rebecca Haro claimed someone attacked her and took the baby in a store parking lot on August 14. This report sparked an urgent search for the baby.
Investigators grew suspicious of the mother’s claim due to inconsistencies in her story. She declined to be interviewed further when they confronted her.
Authorities conducted extensive searches in Cabazon and Yucaipa for Emmanuel. “Based on the evidence, investigators determined a kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur,” the sheriff’s department wrote in a statement on August 17. “It is believed Emmanuel is deceased and the search to recover his remains is ongoing.”
Sources told NewsNation that investigators found blood inside the Haro home. The baby’s photos and clothes had also been removed.
The parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro, were arrested on suspicion of murder on the morning of Friday, August 22. SWAT teams breached the property and forcibly entered using a BearCat vehicle.
According to The Orange County Register, Jake Haro had a previous conviction for child abuse. In 2018, his 10-week-old daughter from a past relationship was hospitalized with serious injuries. The girl, now 7, was reportedly left unable to walk or speak because of her injuries.
Citing court documents, Haro pleaded guilty to willful child cruelty in June 2023. He was sentenced to 180 days in a work-release program, given a suspended four-year prison sentence, and ordered to attend a child abuser treatment program.
The Orange County Register also reported that Haro was to appear in court on September 2 for a separate charge of being a felon or addict in possession of a firearm.
“The circumstances surrounding this investigation are tragic and we will continue to search for Emmanuel,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in a news release. “I trust our justice system will hold the parents accountable.”
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to http://wetip.com.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Sheriff’s Department Believes Missing 7-Month-Old is Dead, Arrests Parents
Deputies arrested the parents of a 7-month-old boy from California on murder charges, turning the search for the missing child into a homicide investigation.
By Kate Byrd
Published: August 24, 2025 9:40 am ET
From left, Jake Haro, center inset Emmanuel Haro, right Rebecca Haro being arrested on suspicion of murder (via San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department)
CABAZON, CA — Authorities arrested a southern California couple on murder charges a week after they reported their 7-month-old son missing.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) said it believes the infant, Emmanuel Haro, is dead and was not kidnapped, according to a NewsNation report.
In a news release, the sheriff’s department said Rebecca Haro claimed someone attacked her and took the baby in a store parking lot on August 14. This report sparked an urgent search for the baby.
Investigators grew suspicious of the mother’s claim due to inconsistencies in her story. She declined to be interviewed further when they confronted her.
Authorities conducted extensive searches in Cabazon and Yucaipa for Emmanuel. “Based on the evidence, investigators determined a kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur,” the sheriff’s department wrote in a statement on August 17. “It is believed Emmanuel is deceased and the search to recover his remains is ongoing.”
Sources told NewsNation that investigators found blood inside the Haro home. The baby’s photos and clothes had also been removed.
The parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro, were arrested on suspicion of murder on the morning of Friday, August 22. SWAT teams breached the property and forcibly entered using a BearCat vehicle.
According to The Orange County Register, Jake Haro had a previous conviction for child abuse. In 2018, his 10-week-old daughter from a past relationship was hospitalized with serious injuries. The girl, now 7, was reportedly left unable to walk or speak because of her injuries.
Citing court documents, Haro pleaded guilty to willful child cruelty in June 2023. He was sentenced to 180 days in a work-release program, given a suspended four-year prison sentence, and ordered to attend a child abuser treatment program.
The Orange County Register also reported that Haro was to appear in court on September 2 for a separate charge of being a felon or addict in possession of a firearm.
“The circumstances surrounding this investigation are tragic and we will continue to search for Emmanuel,” Sheriff Shannon Dicus said in a news release. “I trust our justice system will hold the parents accountable.”
Anyone with information related to this case is urged to call the Homicide Detail at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous should contact We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or go to http://wetip.com.
If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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