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The parents of a missing 7-month-old Southern California child have been arrested on suspicion of murder after the child was falsely reported kidnapped, authorities said Friday.
Jake Haro, 32, and Rebecca Haro, 41, were taken into custody at their home in Cabazon, 90 miles east of Los Angeles, the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said. The agency added that it would continue the ongoing search for Emmanuel Haro.
“The circumstances surrounding this investigation are tragic, and we will continue to search for Emmanuel,” San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus said. “I trust our justice system will hold the parents accountable.”
The child was reported missing on Aug. 14. His mother told investigators that she took her children to football practice with her husband before stopping at a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Yucaipa to buy a mouthguard.
A law enforcement officer stands in front of a memorial to Emmanuel Haro. (San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department)
Footage posted to social media by the sheriff’s department shows both parents being led away from their home in handcuffs into law enforcement vehicles.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Vincent Hughes, an attorney for Jake Haro.
Jake Haro previously pleaded guilty to child cruelty charges in Riverside County in a separate case in 2018, Fox Los Angeles reported.
At the time of Friday’s arrest, he was on probation after he was convicted of those charges and jailed in 2023.
“He did not serve in state prison for four years as being reported. He reached that deal through a plea agreement,” Hughes said. “He acknowledged his role in that situation and there was more than one person convicted.”
The case immediately drew attention from advocacy groups, including the Uvalde Foundation for Kids, which initially offered a $5,000 reward for Emmanuel’s recovery. However, less than a day later, the foundation withdrew its support.
Police are continuing their search for missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro as investigators say his parents aren’t cooperating. (The AWARE Foundation Inc. )
In a statement, the foundation said it was “cautiously optimistic” that news of Friday’s arrests “illustrates the tenacity and dedication” of investigators to find answers.
“Our foundation has suspected foul play from the very beginning and will now be reassessing how we might provide support and aide to the community at this time,” the foundation said in a statement. “First and foremost the focus will be on recovering Emmanuel. He deserves at least that much …”
In another statement, Daniel Chapin, founder of the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, called for a full investigation into Emmanuel’s disappearance, including his grandmother.
“The grandmother’s involvement, or lack thereof, must be fully examined,” Chapin said. “We are calling on law enforcement to investigate every possible angle and person connected to this tragedy. The community deserves answers, and this precious child deserves justice. We will continue to advocate for Emmanuel until every person responsible is held accountable.”