Topline: Jake Haro pleaded guilty to murder and child endangerment in the death of his son, 7-month-old Emmanuel.
Published: October 19, 2025 3:20 pm ET
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Left: Emmanuel Haro (via San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department) Right: Jake Haro (via CBS News)
PALM SPRINGS, CA — Prosecutors announced a Southern California father pleaded guilty on October 16 to killing his 7-month-old child, Emmanuel Haro.
Jake Haro, 32, admitted to charges of murder, child endangerment, and filing a false police report, according to a news release from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
His wife, Rebecca Haro, 41, remains in custody and has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and filing a false police report. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 3 in Riverside County Superior Court, according to the district attorney’s office.
The guilty plea came more than a month after both parents initially pleaded not guilty to murder charges. The couple was arrested August 22 at their Cabazon home due to inconsistencies in their account of the child’s disappearance.
Emmanuel Haro was reported missing August 14. Rebecca Haro told police she had been attacked while changing the baby’s diaper outside a sporting goods store in Yucaipa and lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, she said the baby was gone.
Authorities from San Bernardino and Riverside counties launched a search but did not locate the child. Investigators interviewed the Haros and others, ultimately identifying discrepancies in Rebecca Haro’s account, the San Bernardino sheriff’s department said in a statement.
Both parents were arrested and charged with murder and knowingly making a false report of a crime. They were booked into Riverside County jail without bail. After pleading not guilty on September 4, bail was set at $1 million.
During an August 27 news conference, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said investigators believe Emmanuel died as a result of prolonged abuse.
“The filing in this case reflects our belief that baby Emmanuel was abused, a victim of child abuse over time, and that eventually, because of that abuse, he succumbed to those injuries,” Hestrin said.
Hestrin also said investigators had “a pretty strong indication” of where the infant’s body might be, but search operations were still underway. As of October 18, Emmanuel’s remains have not been found, according to the district attorney’s office.
Jake Haro had previously been convicted of child abuse and was on probation at the time of the incident, according to state court documents obtained by USA Today.
Due to the ongoing criminal case against Rebecca Haro, the district attorney’s office declined any further comment on Jake Haro’s guilty plea.
Rebecca Haro is being represented by Jeff Moore, who previously defended another high-profile child abuse case in California.
Authorities have said there are no other suspects in the case. “While these arrests mark a significant development, our focus remains on finding Emmanuel,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department maintains.
Jake Haro faces 25 years to life in prison and is scheduled for sentencing November 3.
The case of Emmanuel Haro continues to draw attention amid concerns about child abuse and neglect. Prosecutors have emphasized the importance of public vigilance and reporting suspected abuse.
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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Jake Haro Admits Murder: Guilty Plea in Infant’s Death
Jake Haro pleaded guilty to murder and child endangerment in the death of his son, 7-month-old Emmanuel.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 19, 2025 3:20 pm ET
Left: Emmanuel Haro (via San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department) Right: Jake Haro (via CBS News)
PALM SPRINGS, CA — Prosecutors announced a Southern California father pleaded guilty on October 16 to killing his 7-month-old child, Emmanuel Haro.
Jake Haro, 32, admitted to charges of murder, child endangerment, and filing a false police report, according to a news release from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
His wife, Rebecca Haro, 41, remains in custody and has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and filing a false police report. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 3 in Riverside County Superior Court, according to the district attorney’s office.
The guilty plea came more than a month after both parents initially pleaded not guilty to murder charges. The couple was arrested August 22 at their Cabazon home due to inconsistencies in their account of the child’s disappearance.
Emmanuel Haro was reported missing August 14. Rebecca Haro told police she had been attacked while changing the baby’s diaper outside a sporting goods store in Yucaipa and lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, she said the baby was gone.
Authorities from San Bernardino and Riverside counties launched a search but did not locate the child. Investigators interviewed the Haros and others, ultimately identifying discrepancies in Rebecca Haro’s account, the San Bernardino sheriff’s department said in a statement.
Both parents were arrested and charged with murder and knowingly making a false report of a crime. They were booked into Riverside County jail without bail. After pleading not guilty on September 4, bail was set at $1 million.
During an August 27 news conference, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said investigators believe Emmanuel died as a result of prolonged abuse.
“The filing in this case reflects our belief that baby Emmanuel was abused, a victim of child abuse over time, and that eventually, because of that abuse, he succumbed to those injuries,” Hestrin said.
Hestrin also said investigators had “a pretty strong indication” of where the infant’s body might be, but search operations were still underway. As of October 18, Emmanuel’s remains have not been found, according to the district attorney’s office.
Jake Haro had previously been convicted of child abuse and was on probation at the time of the incident, according to state court documents obtained by USA Today.
Due to the ongoing criminal case against Rebecca Haro, the district attorney’s office declined any further comment on Jake Haro’s guilty plea.
Rebecca Haro is being represented by Jeff Moore, who previously defended another high-profile child abuse case in California.
Authorities have said there are no other suspects in the case. “While these arrests mark a significant development, our focus remains on finding Emmanuel,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department maintains.
Jake Haro faces 25 years to life in prison and is scheduled for sentencing November 3.
The case of Emmanuel Haro continues to draw attention amid concerns about child abuse and neglect. Prosecutors have emphasized the importance of public vigilance and reporting suspected abuse.
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
Jake Haro Admits Murder: Guilty Plea in Infant’s Death
Jake Haro pleaded guilty to murder and child endangerment in the death of his son, 7-month-old Emmanuel.
By Kate Byrd
Published: October 19, 2025 3:20 pm ET
Left: Emmanuel Haro (via San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department) Right: Jake Haro (via CBS News)
PALM SPRINGS, CA — Prosecutors announced a Southern California father pleaded guilty on October 16 to killing his 7-month-old child, Emmanuel Haro.
Jake Haro, 32, admitted to charges of murder, child endangerment, and filing a false police report, according to a news release from the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
His wife, Rebecca Haro, 41, remains in custody and has pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and filing a false police report. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for November 3 in Riverside County Superior Court, according to the district attorney’s office.
The guilty plea came more than a month after both parents initially pleaded not guilty to murder charges. The couple was arrested August 22 at their Cabazon home due to inconsistencies in their account of the child’s disappearance.
Emmanuel Haro was reported missing August 14. Rebecca Haro told police she had been attacked while changing the baby’s diaper outside a sporting goods store in Yucaipa and lost consciousness. When she regained consciousness, she said the baby was gone.
Authorities from San Bernardino and Riverside counties launched a search but did not locate the child. Investigators interviewed the Haros and others, ultimately identifying discrepancies in Rebecca Haro’s account, the San Bernardino sheriff’s department said in a statement.
Both parents were arrested and charged with murder and knowingly making a false report of a crime. They were booked into Riverside County jail without bail. After pleading not guilty on September 4, bail was set at $1 million.
During an August 27 news conference, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said investigators believe Emmanuel died as a result of prolonged abuse.
“The filing in this case reflects our belief that baby Emmanuel was abused, a victim of child abuse over time, and that eventually, because of that abuse, he succumbed to those injuries,” Hestrin said.
Hestrin also said investigators had “a pretty strong indication” of where the infant’s body might be, but search operations were still underway. As of October 18, Emmanuel’s remains have not been found, according to the district attorney’s office.
Jake Haro had previously been convicted of child abuse and was on probation at the time of the incident, according to state court documents obtained by USA Today.
Due to the ongoing criminal case against Rebecca Haro, the district attorney’s office declined any further comment on Jake Haro’s guilty plea.
Rebecca Haro is being represented by Jeff Moore, who previously defended another high-profile child abuse case in California.
Authorities have said there are no other suspects in the case. “While these arrests mark a significant development, our focus remains on finding Emmanuel,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department maintains.
Jake Haro faces 25 years to life in prison and is scheduled for sentencing November 3.
The case of Emmanuel Haro continues to draw attention amid concerns about child abuse and neglect. Prosecutors have emphasized the importance of public vigilance and reporting suspected abuse.
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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