The parents of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro were arrested on suspicion of murder at their Cabazon home Friday morning, Aug. 22, more than a week after the baby’s disappearance, authorities said.
Video from RMG News, a freelance organization, shows several law enforcement vehicles, including two armored vehicles, outside the home of Jake and Rebecca Haro, who initially told investigators that Emmanuel was stolen from Rebecca Haro outside a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Yucaipa.
Rebecca Haro then stopped cooperating with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department when investigators found inconsistencies in her story, authorities said. But her lawyer, Vincent Hughes, denied that the couple was not cooperating.
Hughes could not be immediately reached on Friday.
“Investigators will continue their search for seven-month-old Emmanuel Haro,” the sheriff’s department posted on social media Friday morning.
This is the second time law enforcement has descended on the Haros’ home since Rebecca Haro told investigators Emmanuel was taken from her by an attacker around 7:45 p.m., Aug. 14. She told investigators the attacker knocked her unconscious while she was changing Emmanuel’s diaper in the car.
San Bernardino County sheriff’s officials publicly stated there were inconsistencies with her statements, and said they were unable to rule out foul play.
A search warrant was served at the home, leading detectives to seize electronic devices belonging to Jake Haro, including phones.
Jake Haro, according to Hughes, also told investigators that there was a possible sighting of his son at a gas station in Bakersfield, but San Bernardino County sheriff’s officials said no information was provided as to where in Kern County that sighting occurred and a Kern County official said there was no credible or confirmed sighting of the missing boy.
The Uvalde Foundation for Kids had offered a $5,000 reward for information on the whereabouts of the boy, but said the parents have not cooperated with them and the organization’s pleas “have been met with silence.”
On Friday, the foundation said it attempting to verify claims of the arrests and was “cautiously optimistic that such a move illustrates the tenacity and dedication of law enforcement to find answers and an ever growing community undauntedly committed to finding Emmanuel and bringing justice to those responsible for his disappearance.
“Our foundation has suspect foul play from the very beginning and will now be reassessing how we might provide support and aide (sic) to the community at this time.”
A vigil was planned at 6 p.m. outside the home in the 50000 block of Ramona Street.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department on Wednesday said it was putting a ground search on hold until new clues emerge.
This is a developing story. More information will be added when it becomes available.
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