Emmanuel Haro: Who’s missing 7-month-old boy? Why did police arrest his parents — Jake and Rebecca Haro?

The case of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro has taken a grim turn as California authorities confirmed the arrest of his parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro, on murder charges. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced the arrests Friday at the couple’s home in Cabazon.

Child’s Disappearance and Initial Report

Emmanuel was first reported missing on August 14, after his mother claimed she had been attacked while changing the baby’s diaper outside a retail store on Yucaipa Boulevard. According to her initial statement, she was struck by an unknown man, knocked unconscious, and woke to find her son gone.

Authorities immediately launched a search, deploying scent-tracking dogs and interviewing witnesses. However, inconsistencies quickly emerged in Rebecca Haro’s account, raising doubts about the credibility of her version of events.

Investigation and Rising Suspicion

Sheriff’s investigators disclosed that Rebecca stopped cooperating after being confronted with contradictions in her story. Officials said they could not rule out foul play and began focusing their investigation on the parents.

Extensive searches were conducted in Yucaipa and Cabazon, and detectives obtained multiple search warrants for the family home. Investigators also reviewed a large volume of surveillance footage from the areas connected to the disappearance.

UPDATE: August 22, 2025

This morning, detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail and Specialized Enforcement Division arrested Jake and Rebecca Haro at their residence in Cabazon for PC 187 – Murder. 

Investigators will continue their search for seven-month-old Emmanuel… pic.twitter.com/yBlQkjU2Iu

— San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) August 22, 2025

Arrest of the Parents

On August 22, 2025, detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail and Specialized Enforcement Division arrested Jake and Rebecca Haro at their residence. Authorities confirmed that the investigation into Emmanuel’s whereabouts is still active, and search efforts continue despite the murder arrests.

“This morning, detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail and Specialized Enforcement Division arrested Jake and Rebecca Haro at their residence in Cabazon for PC 187 – Murder.  Investigators will continue their search for seven-month-old Emmanuel Haro,” the statement reads.

Rebecca Haro had previously pleaded publicly for her son’s return, describing him as a “happy boy” and begging, “Please don’t hurt my son.” Jake Haro also asked for his child’s safe return, though court records reveal he had pleaded guilty to willful cruelty to a child in a 2018 case.

What Comes Next

Authorities have not released further details on what led to the murder charges but confirmed that Jake Haro’s vehicle was seized earlier in the investigation. Both parents remain in custody as detectives continue efforts to locate Emmanuel.

The Sheriff’s Department has assured the public that the case remains a priority and additional updates will follow as the search progresses.