Mother of Missing California Baby Stops Cooperating with Police Amid Inconsistencies in Kidnapping Claim

7-month-old Emmanuel Haro has been missing since August 14, sparking a search amid conflicting stories from his mother and concerns involving his father's past. Authorities continue to investigate the case, unable to rule out foul play.

By Savage RoyalT | August 17, 2025 | SavageRoyalT.com

Authorities in San Bernardino County are continuing the search for 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, whose disappearance has left the community shaken and investigators questioning the account given by his parents. On August 14, 2025, Emmanuel’s mother, 31-year-old Rebecca Haro, reported that she was attacked from behind while changing her baby’s diaper outside a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Yucaipa, California. Rebecca claimed she briefly lost consciousness and awoke to discover her infant son missing. She appeared on camera with a black eye, pleading for the return of her baby, while her husband, 34-year-old Jake Mitchell Haro, joined her in begging for Emmanuel’s safe return.

Despite their emotional pleas, law enforcement quickly began scrutinizing the case. When detectives confronted Rebecca with inconsistencies in her story, she stopped cooperating and refused to continue her interview. Witnesses have since come forward claiming Rebecca had a black eye before the alleged assault, further fueling suspicion. San Bernardino County Sheriff’s deputies searched the couple’s Cabazon home with cadaver dogs and confirmed they cannot rule out foul play in Emmanuel’s disappearance.

Adding further complexity, Jake Haro’s criminal past has resurfaced. He was convicted of felony willful child cruelty in June 2023, stemming from a 2018 arrest in Hemet, California, where he reportedly beat a child so severely that they suffered a brain injury. Jake served 180 days in jail and is currently serving a 48-month probation term with a suspended 72-month sentence. He is due back in court on September 2 for a possible probation violation that could send him back to prison. He was also acquitted last year of gun and ammunition charges, which he was prohibited from possessing as a convicted felon.

Rebecca and Jake’s refusal to fully cooperate has raised red flags for both law enforcement and outside groups. The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, which initially offered a $5,000 reward to help find Emmanuel, withdrew its involvement, citing “inconsistencies” and stating that “something is not right in this whole picture.” Emmanuel’s grandmother claimed authorities requested that the parents take lie detector tests; Jake declined without a lawyer present. The Sheriff’s Department has not confirmed those details, but did remove the couple’s two-year-old child from their custody.

Emmanuel was last seen wearing a black Nike onesie. He is described as weighing about 21 pounds, 24 inches tall, with brown hair, brown eyes, and a noticeable cross-eye that family members say is not linked to a disability. Despite an extensive search effort involving helicopters, K9 units, and coordination with Riverside County authorities, Emmanuel has not been found. No Amber Alert was issued due to the lack of suspect or vehicle descriptions.

Friends and family held their search outside the sporting goods store days later, distributing flyers and urging anyone with information to step forward. Rebecca and Jake continue to plead publicly for their child’s safe return, but law enforcement remains cautious as their investigation presses forward. “At this point in the investigation, investigators are unable to rule out foul play in the disappearance of Emmanuel,” the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division confirmed.

Anyone with information about Emmanuel Haro’s whereabouts is urged to call the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division at (909) 890-4904. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME or wetip.com. The search for Emmanuel continues as questions mount about what happened on that August evening in Yucaipa.