Police believe 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro is dead, more than a week after his mother reported the infant was abducted in California, and the baby’s parents have been arrested on suspicion of murder charges.

Newsweek reached out to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) via email Friday night for additional comment.

Why It Matters

The original report by Emmanuel’s mother, Rebecca Haro, of the alleged abduction in a parking lot of a shopping center, raised immediate concerns of public safety.

The baby’s disappearance prompted a multi‑agency investigation, execution of search warrants, seizure of evidence and community alarm across the Inland Empire, raising questions about the circumstances surrounding the boy’s last known moments and how investigators were prioritizing leads.

What To Know

Authorities on Friday arrested Jake Haro, 32, and Rebecca Haro, 41, at their home in Cabazon, California, on suspicion of murder charges. They were taken into custody after an armored vehicle “rammed down their front gate,” the Los Angeles Times reports.

The SBCSD said investigators determined the reported kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur and that the probe focused increasingly on the parents after identifying inconsistencies in the mother’s statement.

“It is believed Emmanuel is deceased and the search to recover his remains is ongoing,” the sheriff’s department said in a statement. “While these arrests mark a significant development, our focus remains on finding Emmanuel,” deputies later added.

According to CBS News, citing deputies, there are no other suspects. Deputies also told the outlet that they were conducting an operation at the family’s home earlier Friday, and law enforcement could be seen outside the house, per CBS.

The Haro family home was served with search warrants, deputies said in an update earlier this week. News station KTLA also reported that the vehicle belonging to Jake Haro “was previously seized to be processed for evidence,” citing the sheriff’s department.

In an interview with KTLA, Rebecca Haro originally said that an abduction occurred outside Big 5 Sporting Goods on the night of August 14, where she went to buy a mouth guard for her older son’s football practice. The mother said she brought Emmanuel with her and noticed he needed a diaper change.

Jake Haro’s history with law enforcement was also previously reported by The Orange County Register, noting that he had been convicted of felony willful child cruelty in June 2023.

What People Are Saying

Vincent Hughes, defense attorney representing Jake Haro, previously commenting on the father’s past, according to CBS News: “There was a conviction for child cruelty, which Jake is not running from. He’s not hiding from his record; it’s publicly available information.”

Sheriff Shannon Dicus, in a news release on Friday: “The circumstances surrounding this investigation are tragic and we will continue to search for Emmanuel. I want to thank members of the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, the community, and media for bringing attention to this case. I trust our justice system will hold the parents accountable.”

What Happens Next

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division at 909‑890‑4904 or submit anonymous tips to We‑Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME.