4 Things To Know About The CA Case Of Missing Baby Emmanuel Haro

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — A 7-month-old baby from Riverside County is presumed dead after his parents reported him missing more than 10 days ago. Since that time, the couple has been arrested at their Cabazon home on suspicion of murder. As the story of baby Emmanual gains national attention, here's what's known about the case:

Murder With Malice Aforethought

Jake Mitchell Haro, 32, and his wife, Rebecca Renee Haro, 41, were taken into custody at approximately 7:30 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22, in Cabazon by San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies. They were booked into separate Riverside County jails on suspicion of murder with malice aforethought in the death of their baby boy, Emmanuel Haro.

Malice aforethought is a legal term referring to intent. It is a critical element in distinguishing murder from other forms of homicide, such as manslaughter, because it represents a defendant's mental state and intent at the time of the alleged offense.

As of early Monday afternoon, the Haros were not formally charged, though the filing was expected shortly. In California, arrestees can be held in jail for up to 48 hours (not including weekends or holidays) without charges filed.

According to jail records, no bail has been set for the couple.

No other suspects are sought in the case, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Attorneys representing the Haros could not be reached on Monday.

Baby's Body

On Sunday, Jake Haro, who was outfitted in a Riverside County jail suit, was accompanied by law enforcement to the westbound shoulder of state Route 60, near Gilman Springs Road, in Moreno Valley, to search for Emmanuel's body.

"This afternoon a search for Emmanuel Haro was conducted along the westbound shoulder of the 60 Freeway, near Gilman Springs Road, in Moreno Valley," the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department announced Sunday on social media. "Investigators were assisted by cadaver dogs. Jake Haro was at the location with detectives. The search has concluded, and Emmanuel was not located. The investigation to find Emmanuel continues."

It's not clear whether Jake Haro led investigators to the area.

As of Monday afternoon, there have been no announcements about a body being recovered. If a body is found, the county coroner will determine the baby's cause and manner of death.

Jurisdiction

San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies arrested the Haros at their home in the 50000 block of Ramona Street in Cabazon, in Riverside County. The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is the lead in the case, though the Haros are facing charges in Riverside County.

"The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department is leading the investigation," agency spokesperson Mara Rodriguez said Monday. "Jake and Rebecca Haro are being held in custody at Riverside County jail facilities, and the case will be adjudicated in Riverside County."

The county with jurisdiction is typically the one in which the crime occurred. Investigators have been mum about where they believe Emmanuel was killed, other than Sunday's brief announcement about the Moreno Valley search.

However, they have said they believe that Rebecca Haro's original statement about her child being abducted in Yucaipa, in San Bernardino County, was a lie.

She told San Bernardino County deputies that just after 7:45 p.m. on August 14, she was at a Big 5 Sporting Goods Store on Yucaipa Boulevard. She said she went to her vehicle to change Emmanuel's diaper when an unknown male attacked her.

Rebecca Haro told deputies she was rendered unconscious during the assault, and when she came to, her child was missing, according to a statement from the sheriff's department.

"Based on the evidence, investigators determined a kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur," the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department reported. "It is believed Emmanuel is deceased, and the search to recover his remains is ongoing."

In addition to San Bernardino County investigators, law enforcement from the Riverside County sheriff's and district attorney's offices are working on the case.

Evidence In The Case

Investigators apparently saw holes in Rebecca Haro's statements early on, and search warrants were obtained and served at the family home. "Digital and electronic evidence has been collected and closely analyzed," the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said.

During the investigation, a young child at the family residence was removed by Riverside County Child and Family Services officers, according to Rodriguez. A reason was not provided.

Jake Haro has a criminal history in Riverside County involving child abuse. In 2018, he and his then-partner, Vanessa Haro aka Vanessa Avina, were charged in Riverside County with felony child cruelty.

According to a declaration in support of an arrest warrant in the case, an infant child in their care had suffered broken bones, spinal injuries, brain hemorrhage and other injuries. A doctor testified that the injuries were indicative of "abuse head trauma, child physical abuse and nutritional neglect."

Jake Haro pleaded guilty in 2023 to one count of child cruelty and was later sentenced to four years' probation and was ordered to serve 180 days in jail on the work release program. The court suspended six years in prison as part of his plea, according to the Riverside County District Attorney's Office.

Vanessa Haro pleaded guilty to a lesser misdemeanor charge of child cruelty.

In a separate case filed in July 2024 in Riverside County, Jake Haro was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and ammunition and with violating his probation terms. He is due in court Sept. 2 to answer those charges, according to the DA's office.

Rebecca Haro has no documented criminal history in Riverside County, according to court records.

Investigators are still seeking leads from the public in the Emmanuel Haro case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the San Bernardino County sheriff's homicide detail at 909-890-4904.