Authorities in Southern California have revealed new and disturbing details surrounding the death of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, whose parents are now charged with his murder.
At a press conference on Wednesday, Riverside County District Attorney Michael Hestrin said the case reflects evidence of ongoing abuse that ultimately led to Emmanuel’s death.
Parents Arrested After Fabricated Kidnapping Claim
On August 14, Emmanuel’s mother, Rebecca Haro, reported that her son had been kidnapped from a Yucaipa parking lot while she was knocked unconscious. Investigators soon found serious inconsistencies in her story, leading authorities to identify both Rebecca and her husband, Jake Haro, as prime suspects.
A criminal complaint obtained by PEOPLE shows that investigators believe Emmanuel was killed days earlier, with his last confirmed sighting on August 5.
Both parents were arrested and appeared in court on Tuesday, with their arraignment set for September 4. They are each being held on $1 million bail.
Authorities Say Remains May Have Been Located
District Attorney Hestrin revealed that investigators have a strong idea where Emmanuel’s remains are, but he did not provide specific details. Over the weekend, investigators searched alongside Jake Haro in efforts to recover the body.
Meanwhile, the couple’s 2-year-old child has been removed from their custody.
History of Abuse and Missed Warnings
Officials also highlighted Jake Haro’s troubling past. In 2018, Jake was prosecuted for child abuse involving his 10-week-old daughter from a previous relationship. The infant suffered devastating injuries, including:
Brain hemorrhage
Multiple rib fractures
Spinal injury
Retinal hemorrhages
Seizures
Doctors testified that Jake’s explanation—that he dropped the baby in a sink—was not consistent with the extent of the injuries.
Jake later pleaded guilty to child cruelty in 2023, and prosecutors pushed for prison time. However, the judge suspended his six-year prison sentence and placed him on four years’ probation instead.
Less than a year later, Jake allegedly violated probation when he was charged with illegally owning a firearm.
District Attorney Hestrin condemned the judge’s decision, saying:
“Mr. Haro should have been in prison at the time this crime happened, and if that judge had done his job… Emmanuel would be alive today. That’s a shame and it’s an outrage.”
Today, the child from the 2018 case is 7 years old, bedridden, and suffers from cerebral palsy due to her father’s abuse.
Officials Call Father an “Experienced Child Abuser”
San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus described Jake Haro as an “experienced child abuser,” while investigators emphasized the ongoing pattern of violence that was overlooked by the justice system.
A public defender representing Jake and Rebecca Haro did not comment on the charges.
The tragic death of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro has sparked outrage, not only because of the alleged abuse but also because of the justice system’s failure to prevent it. With a documented history of child abuse, critics argue that Jake Haro should have been behind bars long before his son’s death. Now, both parents face murder charges, while their surviving children live with the consequences of their actions.
