Investigators follow up on reported sighting of missing 7-month-old California boy

Local law enforcement officials said they have looked into the reported sighting of a missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro in Central California on Wednesday.

“Our investigators have followed up on the reported sightings of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, but he has not yet been located,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department stated in an update on the investigation on Wednesday.

Earlier in the morning, the Sheriff’s Department confirmed with KTLA 5 that they had been made aware of the reported sighting in Kern County, but were unaware of the exact location.

“We know the community is deeply concerned about this case, and we will continue to provide information, to the extent it does not jeopardize the investigation,” the latest update stated.

Haro was reported missing on Aug. 14 after his mother said he was taken from the parking lot of a Big 5 Sporting Goods Store in Yucaipa when a stranger allegedly knocked his mother unconscious as she was changing his diaper.

To this point, the focus of the investigation into the baby’s disappearance has focused on his parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro.

Authorities, noting inconsistencies in his mother’s accounts, began to suspect the story was fabricated.

The Sheriff’s Department said it had confronted Rebecca Haro about the inconsistencies and decided it was not able to rule out foul play in the boy’s disappearance.

Jake Haro has since obtained an attorney. “While Emmanuel’s father has retained an attorney, if the parents choose to work with detectives, we welcome their cooperation as we continue efforts to locate Emmanuel,” the Sheriff’s Department said.

A fire was also reported on Wednesday morning on the property next door to the Haro residence in Cabazon. “At this time, we have no information indicating the fire is related,” the Sheriff’s Department said.