Topline: New details emerge in a Riverside County courtroom after a California couple was charged with murder in the disappearance of their 7-month-old son.
Published: August 28, 2025 8:00 am ET
Must Read
Left, Jake Haro, center inset Emmanuel Haro, right Rebecca Haro photos (via San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department)
RIVERSIDE, CA — The parents of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro were formally charged with murder and filing a false police report on Tuesday.
At the couple’s first court appearance, more details surfaced, including a potential timeline of the child’s alleged death, as reported by KTLA.
Rebecca Haro reported that her child was kidnapped outside a Yucaipa Big 5 Sporting Goods store on August 14. Investigators noted that Rebecca’s story had inconsistencies, and the couple stopped cooperating with authorities and hired a lawyer.
Rebecca and Jake Haro were arrested at their home in Cabazon on August 22 and are now being held on $1 million bail. Authorities say the boy is presumed dead, though his remains have yet to be located.
On Sunday, Jake Haro was seen helping investigators search for the child’s remains off the westbound lanes of the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley. The search was unsuccessful.
On Tuesday afternoon, Rebecca and Jake Haro appeared in court without an attorney. Previously, attorney Vincent Hughes had spoken on the couple’s behalf, telling KTLA that “they just want the child to be found.” It is unclear why Hughes no longer represents the Haros.
Court documents released Tuesday revealed that investigators believe Emmanuel may have been dead up to nine days before Rebecca’s kidnapping claim, according to the Associated Press. Prosecutors now allege the child was killed sometime between August 5 and August 14.
There are unconfirmed reports that the 41-year-old mother was seen inside the same sporting goods store days before she told police Emmanuel was kidnapped.
According to the reports, she asked if there were exterior surveillance cameras on the building and claimed her car had been burglarized in the parking lot.
KTLA Legal Analyst Allison Trisel said the Haros face a minimum sentence of life in prison without parole. They could also be eligible for the death penalty, as the charge of murder with malice applies to cases involving torture or extreme cruelty. It is not yet known what prosecutors will seek.
Before the couple’s arrest, records showed that Jake had a previous felony conviction for willful child cruelty. It was also revealed that Rebecca’s brother is serving 50 years to life in prison for murdering his girlfriend and staging it to look like a suicide.
Cameras were allowed inside Tuesday’s court appearance, along with dozens of people following the case.
The Haros’ arraignment will take place on September 4. Riverside County Public Defender Brian Cosgrove said the delay should provide enough time to appoint separate attorneys for Jake and Rebecca.
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 Picks
Latest Articles
Court Appearance Reveals New Information in Emmanuel Haro Case
New details emerge in a Riverside County courtroom after a California couple was charged with murder in the disappearance of their 7-month-old son.
By Kate Byrd
Published: August 28, 2025 8:00 am ET
Left, Jake Haro, center inset Emmanuel Haro, right Rebecca Haro photos (via San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department)
RIVERSIDE, CA — The parents of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro were formally charged with murder and filing a false police report on Tuesday.
At the couple’s first court appearance, more details surfaced, including a potential timeline of the child’s alleged death, as reported by KTLA.
Rebecca Haro reported that her child was kidnapped outside a Yucaipa Big 5 Sporting Goods store on August 14. Investigators noted that Rebecca’s story had inconsistencies, and the couple stopped cooperating with authorities and hired a lawyer.
Rebecca and Jake Haro were arrested at their home in Cabazon on August 22 and are now being held on $1 million bail. Authorities say the boy is presumed dead, though his remains have yet to be located.
On Sunday, Jake Haro was seen helping investigators search for the child’s remains off the westbound lanes of the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley. The search was unsuccessful.
On Tuesday afternoon, Rebecca and Jake Haro appeared in court without an attorney. Previously, attorney Vincent Hughes had spoken on the couple’s behalf, telling KTLA that “they just want the child to be found.” It is unclear why Hughes no longer represents the Haros.
Court documents released Tuesday revealed that investigators believe Emmanuel may have been dead up to nine days before Rebecca’s kidnapping claim, according to the Associated Press. Prosecutors now allege the child was killed sometime between August 5 and August 14.
There are unconfirmed reports that the 41-year-old mother was seen inside the same sporting goods store days before she told police Emmanuel was kidnapped.
According to the reports, she asked if there were exterior surveillance cameras on the building and claimed her car had been burglarized in the parking lot.
KTLA Legal Analyst Allison Trisel said the Haros face a minimum sentence of life in prison without parole. They could also be eligible for the death penalty, as the charge of murder with malice applies to cases involving torture or extreme cruelty. It is not yet known what prosecutors will seek.
Before the couple’s arrest, records showed that Jake had a previous felony conviction for willful child cruelty. It was also revealed that Rebecca’s brother is serving 50 years to life in prison for murdering his girlfriend and staging it to look like a suicide.
Cameras were allowed inside Tuesday’s court appearance, along with dozens of people following the case.
The Haros’ arraignment will take place on September 4. Riverside County Public Defender Brian Cosgrove said the delay should provide enough time to appoint separate attorneys for Jake and Rebecca.
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.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Court Appearance Reveals New Information in Emmanuel Haro Case
New details emerge in a Riverside County courtroom after a California couple was charged with murder in the disappearance of their 7-month-old son.
By Kate Byrd
Published: August 28, 2025 8:00 am ET
Left, Jake Haro, center inset Emmanuel Haro, right Rebecca Haro photos (via San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department)
RIVERSIDE, CA — The parents of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro were formally charged with murder and filing a false police report on Tuesday.
At the couple’s first court appearance, more details surfaced, including a potential timeline of the child’s alleged death, as reported by KTLA.
Rebecca Haro reported that her child was kidnapped outside a Yucaipa Big 5 Sporting Goods store on August 14. Investigators noted that Rebecca’s story had inconsistencies, and the couple stopped cooperating with authorities and hired a lawyer.
Rebecca and Jake Haro were arrested at their home in Cabazon on August 22 and are now being held on $1 million bail. Authorities say the boy is presumed dead, though his remains have yet to be located.
On Sunday, Jake Haro was seen helping investigators search for the child’s remains off the westbound lanes of the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley. The search was unsuccessful.
On Tuesday afternoon, Rebecca and Jake Haro appeared in court without an attorney. Previously, attorney Vincent Hughes had spoken on the couple’s behalf, telling KTLA that “they just want the child to be found.” It is unclear why Hughes no longer represents the Haros.
Court documents released Tuesday revealed that investigators believe Emmanuel may have been dead up to nine days before Rebecca’s kidnapping claim, according to the Associated Press. Prosecutors now allege the child was killed sometime between August 5 and August 14.
There are unconfirmed reports that the 41-year-old mother was seen inside the same sporting goods store days before she told police Emmanuel was kidnapped.
According to the reports, she asked if there were exterior surveillance cameras on the building and claimed her car had been burglarized in the parking lot.
KTLA Legal Analyst Allison Trisel said the Haros face a minimum sentence of life in prison without parole. They could also be eligible for the death penalty, as the charge of murder with malice applies to cases involving torture or extreme cruelty. It is not yet known what prosecutors will seek.
Before the couple’s arrest, records showed that Jake had a previous felony conviction for willful child cruelty. It was also revealed that Rebecca’s brother is serving 50 years to life in prison for murdering his girlfriend and staging it to look like a suicide.
Cameras were allowed inside Tuesday’s court appearance, along with dozens of people following the case.
The Haros’ arraignment will take place on September 4. Riverside County Public Defender Brian Cosgrove said the delay should provide enough time to appoint separate attorneys for Jake and Rebecca.
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.
Must Read
