 "Kidnapped or killed? The shocking story of baby Emmanuel Haro, whose parents have been arrested in US")
The search is still on in Southern California for 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, who has been missing for more than a week.
While the search continues, the boy’s parents have been taken into custody on suspicion of murder.
Last week, the child’s mother claimed her son had been kidnapped, but sheriff’s officials said they are not ruling out foul play.
So what happened to the child? And why have the parents been arrested?
Let’s find out:
What happened?
On the evening of August 14, the boy’s mother, Rebecca Haro, told officials that while she was outside her car in a parking lot changing her son’s diaper, a man attacked her and knocked her unconscious, according to a sheriff’s news release.
When she regained consciousness, she said her baby was missing.
According to local news station KTLA, friends and relatives gathered at the Big 5 parking lot to search for the infant.
Rebecca, who had a black eye, said she had gone there after attending her older son’s football practice at a nearby park with her husband, Jake Haro, 32, and their two other children.
She added that around 7 pm, she stopped at Big 5 to buy a mouthguard for her son. While in the car park, she said she was attacked while changing the baby’s diaper.
Deputies launched a search but later pointed out issues with her version of events. The sheriff’s office said that when they questioned her about these gaps, she stopped speaking with them.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsUPDATE: August 22, 2025
— San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) 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
Why were the parents suspected?
Detectives said suspicions turned towards the parents after Rebecca gave different stories about what happened.
Court documents show that in 2023, Jake was convicted of child cruelty and served 180 days in jail. His lawyer told Fox 11 Los Angeles that he remains on probation for that offence.
Two days after the baby went missing, Rebecca returned to the same car park where she said the assault had happened. She handed out leaflets with her son’s photo, asking for his safe return.
Investigators said that they began focusing on the boy’s parents after his mother gave them inconsistent accounts about his disappearance.
During the inquiry, officers said her story did not line up with the evidence. When asked to explain, she refused to cooperate. Officials added they were now going through hours of security footage from places linked to the case.
Court records in Riverside County also show that on Tuesday, Jake’s former wife applied for a restraining order against him for domestic violence, The New York Times reported.
“Based on the evidence, investigators determined a kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement. “The search to recover his remains is ongoing.”
How were the parents arrested?
On August 22, deputies took Jake and Rebecca Haro into custody at their home. According to the LA Times, armoured vehicles were used to break through the front gate.
The couple were booked into the county jail and is being held without bail. Officials confirmed that no other people are being treated as suspects.
“While these arrests mark a significant development, our focus remains on finding Emmanuel,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement released on August 22.
After news of the arrests, people gathered outside the family’s home.
SUSPECT 1: Jake Mitchell Haro, 32-years-old, Resident of Cabazon, CA
— San Bernardino County Sheriff (@sbcountysheriff) August 22, 2025
SUSPECT 2: Rebecca Renee Haro, 41-years-old, Resident of Cabazon, CA
VICTIM(S): Emmanuel Haro, seven-month-old Infant of Cabazon, CA
This investigation began on August 14, 2025, as a reported kidnapping at the… pic.twitter.com/u75jgrFKtz
“This morning, detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail and Specialised Enforcement Division arrested Jake and Rebecca Haro at their residence in Cabazon for PC 187 – Murder,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) said in a post on X.
The post also confirmed that the search for Emmanuel Haro is still underway.
Under California law, a murder conviction carries a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison.
Where is the missing boy?
Although both parents have been arrested on suspicion of murder, the body of Emmanuel Haro has not been located.
In an update on August 18, investigators said they had “conducted extensive searches” in Yucaipa and Cabazon, where the family lived.
Mara Rodriguez, public information officer for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, told USA Today that investigators followed up on reports of possible sightings of the child in Kern County, about 180 miles north of San Bernardino. However, the boy was not found.
The sheriff’s department had earlier said in a statement that they were not ruling out foul play in Emmanuel’s disappearance.
With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
