Father helps search for remains of 7-month-old son presumed dead in California

The father of a missing 7-month-old baby, Emmanuel Haro who is presumed dead, assisted investigators Sunday in Moreno Valley during the search for the child’s remains.

Authorities in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties launched an extensive manhunt on Aug. 14 after Rebecca,and Jake Haro said their little boy was kidnapped from a parking lot of a Yucaipa Big 5 Sporting Goods store after a stranger reportedly knocked Rebecca unconscious, leaving her with a black eye.   

In the days following the alleged kidnapping, new revelations emerged, including that the couple was being uncooperative with investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, that video of Rebecca with a black eye on Aug. 3 may exist, that officials removed the couple’s 2-year-old from their custody and that Jake Haro has a previous felony conviction for willful child cruelty.   

Investigators turned their attention to the parents, using cadaver dogs during a search of the family’s Cabazon home and seizing Jake’s vehicle, along with cellphones and other electronics to preserve and process any potential evidence.   

Rebecca, 41, and Jake, 32 were arrested Friday morning on suspicion of murder after a widely publicized search for their son. 

Escorted by deputies on Aug. 24, the 32-year-old was seen in a prison jumpsuit assisting crews in the search for his son’s remains near the 60 Freeway and Gilman Springs Road in Moreno Valley. Officials with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department told KTLA that cadaver dogs were also deployed during the operation.

Footage of the search and recovery mission showed dozens of people parked on the side of the 60 Freeway and fanning out into the dry brush along the hillsides and paths in the area as they looked for evidence of baby Emmanuel’s remains.

Sheriff’s officials confirmed to KTLA that the afternoon’s search was wrapping up and the 7-month-old’s remains were not located.