Arrested mother stands by story in search for missing California baby Emmanuel Haro

Seven-month-old Emmanuel Haro remains missing and presumed dead after his father was seen searching with authorities, and his mother was maintaining her innocence from behind bars on Sunday. Both parents are suspects in the baby’s disappearance.

Jake Haro, 32, and Rebecca Haro, 41, were arrested at their Cabazon home Friday morning on suspicion of murder with malice following a weeklong investigation filled with twists and turns.

Baby Emmanuel has been missing since Aug. 14, when Rebecca Haro told authorities he was kidnapped from a parking lot of a Yucaipa Big 5 Sporting Goods during an assault that left her unconscious and with a black eye.

In the days following the alleged kidnapping, investigators indicated that they noticed inconsistencies in her account of the events and said the couple was being uncooperative.

Officials have also said that the Haros’ 2-year-old had been removed from their custody and that Jake Haro had a previous felony conviction for willful child cruelty.   

On Sunday, Jake Haro, wearing a bright-colored jail jumpsuit, was seen in Moreno Valley assisting San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department detectives as they searched a remote stretch of the 60 Freeway near Gilman Springs Road for the child’s remains, but nothing was found. 

It was unclear what led investigators to search the location for Emmanuel’s body.

Meanwhile, Emmanuel’s mother is standing by her story. Despite being accused of murder in the case, she told a group of reporters on Sunday that she isn’t giving up on her baby and that she wishes she were out searching for him.

Rebecca Haro also shook her head when asked about rumors that she went to the Big 5 days before the reported kidnapping and told employees that her car had been burglarized and asked whether the business had surveillance cameras,” the Press-Enterprise reported. Investigators have not commented on the claims.

A vigil for baby Emmanuel was held in Cabazon after the shocking arrests on Friday. “I’m hurt by it. You know, because I wanted to believe that that baby is alive,” said one woman at the vigil.

Jake and Rebecca Haro are expected to make their first appearance in court on Tuesday. They are being held without bail.