“This morning, detectives from the Sheriff’s Homicide Detail and Specialized Enforcement Division arrested Jake and Rebecca Haro at their residence in Cabazon for PC 187 – Murder,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department (SBCSD) said in a post on X shortly after noon ET.
Investigators are still searching for Emmanuel Haro, the post said.
Gloria Orejel, SBCSD’s public information officer, confirmed to USA TODAY that Jake and Rebecca Haro’s arrests are linked to their son’s disappearance, but said no additional information is being released at this time.
Rebecca Haro, Emmanuel’s mother, told police that her infant was kidnapped outside a retail store in Yucaipa, California, on Aug. 14, according to a release from SBCSD. However, police said they found “inconsistencies” in her statements.
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SBCSD said that Jake and Rebecca Haro were arrested and charged with murder under California penal code 187.
According to California law, if convicted, the charge carries a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison.
USA TODAY had been unable to reach Rebecca and Jake Haro for comment prior to their arrests. It’s unclear whether they have retained legal counsel.
Rebecca Haro told news outlets, including KCAL and KTLA, that the family was in Yucaipa for another child’s football practice. She said she went to a sporting goods store to buy a mouthguard for her other child when she realized her infant’s diaper needed to be changed.
She said she was changing her son’s diaper outside her car when a man assaulted her and knocked her unconscious. When she regained consciousness, the infant was gone, Rebecca Haro told police.
In interviews with local TV stations, Rebecca Haro appeared with a black eye, which she said she got from the assault.
“I took him out of the car seat and laid him on the chair. I had his diapers right here, and someone said, ‘Hola.’ I couldn’t even turn. I don’t remember nothing,” Rebecca Haro told the outlets.
Investigators said in an Aug. 18 update that they “conducted extensive searches” in both Yucaipa and Cabazon, where the family is based.
“Investigators have served several search warrants at the Haro home and utilized K9s to aid in the investigation,” SBCSD said in a release.
On Aug. 20, Mara Rodriguez, public information officer for SBCSD, confirmed to USA TODAY that investigators seized a car belonging to Jake Haro for evidence processing.
SBCSD previously said in a release that investigators have not ruled out foul play in Emmanuel’s disappearance. Multiple people, including Rebecca and Jake Haro, sat for interviews with investigators.
“During those interviews, Rebecca was confronted with inconsistencies in her initial statement and declined to continue with the interview,” the sheriff’s department said in the release.
Anyone with information has been asked to call Sheriff’s Dispatch at 909-387-3545.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [email protected].
