The parents of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro were arrested on Friday, just over a week after his mother told authorities he was kidnapped from the parking lot of a sporting goods store in California.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department confirmed both Jake and Rebecca Haro were detained on suspicion of first-degree murder at their home in Cabazon, located about 90 miles east of Los Angeles. No other details regarding their arrests were provided.
According to Emmanuel’s parents, the boy was allegedly taken from the parking lot outside Big 5 Sporting Goods in Yucaipa on the afternoon of Aug. 14.
Rebecca Haro told investigators she was punched while changing her baby’s diaper, and that he was gone by the time she regained consciousness. It sparked an intense search for the missing boy, who has still not been found.
“Investigators will continue their search for 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro,” police said in a social media post.
Earlier this week, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said it was aware of reported sightings of Emmanuel, including in Kern County, NBC 4 reported.
“We know the community is deeply concerned about this case and we will continue to provide information, to the extent it does not jeopardize the investigation,” the agency said. “Our investigators have followed up on the reported sightings of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, but he has not yet been located.”
Emmanuel is around 24 inches tall and weighs about 21 pounds. He has brown hair, brown eyes and is cross-eyed, police said. He was last seen wearing a black Nike onesie.
In the days since he disappeared, authorities said they uncovered “inconsistencies” in Rebecca Haro’s story and that they could not rule out foul play. Their investigation also turned up a car belonging to Emmanuel’s father, who previously pleaded guilty to willful cruelty to a child following a 2018 arrest, ABC 7 reported, citing Riverside County records.
SBSD investigators served a search warrant at the Haro’s home last week. A 2-year-old child was removed from the residence and has since been transferred into the care of the Riverside County child protective services.
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