Community members in the Inland Empire have joined the desperate search for the remains of baby Emmanuel Haro as detectives continue their investigation into the infant’s disappearance.
Although the 7-month-old’s body has not been found, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said investigators believe the baby is dead. Meanwhile, his parents are being held behind bars on suspicion of his murder.
The puzzling case began with a report from his parents, who said the baby was kidnapped in a parking lot earlier this month, and has since turned into a much grimmer investigation. Here’s a look at the timeline for Haro’s case.
Aug. 14 – Emmanuel is reported missing
Cabazon resident Rebecca Haro, 41, reported her son, Emmanuel, was kidnapped after she was attacked in the parking lot of a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Yucaipa.
According to the mother, she and the infant were in the area for another son’s youth sports competition before the alleged attack occurred. At 7:47 p.m., Rebecca was assaulted from behind while changing her son’s diaper, she reported.
“I noticed a smell from my baby, so I wanted to change him before going into the store,” she said. “I took him out of the car seat and I laid him on the chair. I had his diapers right here and someone said, ‘Hola.' I couldn’t turn and I don’t remember nothing. I got up from the floor and didn’t see my child. Someone took him from me.”
Aug. 16 – Foul play considered
SBSD said investigators couldn’t rule out the possibility of foul play in the infant’s disappearance.
Sheriff’s deputies said Rebecca was “confronted with inconsistencies in her initial statement and declined to continue with the interview.” She, along with Emmanuel’s father, 32-year-old Jake Haro, were interviewed by law enforcement as part of the investigation.
Aug. 17 – Toddler from Haro household taken into protective custody
Detectives visited the home of the Haro family as part of their investigation. With the investigation ongoing, the 2-year-old sibling of Emmanuel was taken into custody by Riverside County Child Protective Services, according to the sheriff’s department.
As the case continued, law enforcement brought to light Jake's criminal history. In 2021, the father was convicted of cruelty to a child and in 2024, he was convicted of being a felon in possession of a handgun.
An arrest warrant was filed for Jake in the child cruelty case involving a baby girl. Authorities responded to his home after the girl was admitted to a hospital with multiple broken bones. According to the court documents, the man told investigators he accidentally dropped the child on a sink as he bathed her. Doctors reported rib and skull fractures and a brain hemorrhage, according to the court documents.
As investigators spoke with the father in connection with Emmanuel's case, community members in the Inland Empire gathered in the parking lot of the Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Yucaipa where the baby was reportedly kidnapped. With candles in hand, residents prayed for the safe return of the infant.
Aug. 20 – Infant’s father’s vehicle seized by detectives
Law enforcement seized a car belonging to the infant’s father as part of their investigation. They did not detail why they took the vehicle.
Additionally, officials received reports from people who said they spotted the baby in Kern County.
“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 agency said. “Our investigators have followed up on the reported sightings of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, but he has not yet been located.
“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.”
Aug. 22 – Parents arrested
Both Jake and Rebecca Haro were arrested on suspicion of murder at their Cabazon home, SBSD said.
In an updated statement, the department shared why the parents were suspected of such a grim crime.
“During the investigation thus far, numerous interviews have been conducted, search warrants have been served, digital and electronic evidence has been collected and closely analyzed. Based on the evidence, investigators determined a kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur,” the agency said in a statement. “It is believed Emmanuel is deceased and the search to recover his remains is ongoing.”
A family attorney issued the following in response to the arrests:
“Innocent until proven guilty,” he said. “We'll figure it out once this case starts moving forward.”
Aug. 24 – Investigators, joined by father, search for remains off 60 Freeway
Investigators carried out a search for what they believe will be the remains of the infant.
They combed along the westbound shoulder of the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley, near Gilman Springs Road. Search and rescue crews were aided by cadaver dogs.
Jake, sporting an orange jumpsuit, was seen at the site with investigators.
Aug. 26 – Parents charged with murder
Both Jake and Rebecca Haro were charged with murder and making a false report to law enforcement officers, the Riverside County Superior Court showed.
Arraignment for the parents was scheduled for the same day, but was continued to Sept. 4 since the couple’s public defender said there was limited information.
Aug. 27 – County officials allege baby was victim of abuse
Baby Emmanuel was described as a victim of “child abuse over time” who eventually “succumbed to those injuries,” according to Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin.
Hestrin was joined by Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus in a press conference to deliver updates on the case. Dicus doubled down on his department’s belief that the parents fabricated the kidnapping report
“Forensically, there are a number of things that we were able to prove up,” Dicus said. “There is a tremendous amount of evidence that suggests the initial story posed was not the correct story.”
The sheriff added that he was unable to go into further details.
Hestrin said law enforcement has a “pretty strong indication of where the remains of baby Emmanuel are.”
Mysterious Neighbor’s Testimony: Strange Noises from the Haro House Could Change the Emmanuel Haro Case
On August 14, 2025, the small community of Yucaipa, California, was thrust into the national spotlight when seven-month-old Emmanuel Haro was reported missing by his mother, Rebecca Haro. She claimed she was attacked and knocked unconscious in the parking lot of a Big 5 Sporting Goods store while changing Emmanuel’s diaper, and when she awoke, her son was gone. The case quickly escalated into a murder investigation, with Rebecca and Jake Haro, Emmanuel’s parents, arrested on August 22, 2025, on suspicion of murder and filing a false police report. As the search for Emmanuel’s remains continues, a neighbor’s chilling testimony about strange noises emanating from the Haro household at 3 a.m. the night before the reported kidnapping has emerged, potentially altering the trajectory of this tragic case.
The Neighbor’s Account: Strange Noises at 3 a.m.
According to reports from NewsNation, a neighbor living near the Haro family’s home in Cabazon, California, came forward with a disturbing account of events on the night of August 13, 2025, just hours before Rebecca reported Emmanuel’s abduction. The neighbor, identified only as Heather Walker, stated that she was awakened around 3 a.m. by unusual sounds coming from the Haro residence. “It was like banging, maybe something heavy being moved, and muffled voices,” Walker told Elizabeth Vargas Reports. She described the noises as “out of place” for the quiet desert neighborhood, where such disturbances were rare, especially at that hour.
Walker’s testimony didn’t end with the noises. She reported looking out her window and seeing dim lights flickering inside the Haro home, as if someone was moving around with a flashlight or a phone. She also noticed a vehicle idling in the driveway, which she couldn’t identify due to the darkness but described as “not the usual car” she associated with the Haros. “It was creepy, like something wasn’t right,” she said. Walker considered calling the police but hesitated, as she didn’t want to intrude on what she initially thought might be a private matter. However, after learning of Emmanuel’s disappearance the next day, she reported her observations to the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, believing they could be significant.
Context of the Case: A Troubling Timeline
The neighbor’s testimony adds a new layer to an already complex and heartbreaking case. Rebecca Haro’s initial report claimed that on August 14, at approximately 7:47 p.m., she was assaulted while changing Emmanuel’s diaper outside her vehicle. She told KTLA that she heard someone say “Hola” before losing consciousness, and when she awoke, Emmanuel was gone. However, investigators quickly identified inconsistencies in her story, noting that no security footage from the busy Yucaipa Boulevard area corroborated her account, and no witnesses reported seeing a woman with a baby at the scene. When confronted, Rebecca declined to continue the interview, and authorities began to suspect foul play.
The investigation took a grim turn when Jake and Rebecca were arrested on murder charges. Prosecutors alleged that Emmanuel may have been deceased as early as August 5, up to nine days before the reported kidnapping, based on evidence suggesting prolonged abuse. A critical piece of evidence was a hidden note found in Jake Haro’s seized vehicle, which read, “He was already gone before we said he was taken,” implying that Emmanuel’s death predated the kidnapping claim. The neighbor’s account of strange noises and activity at 3 a.m. on August 13 could provide a crucial clue about what transpired in the Haro household in the hours leading up to the public report.
The Significance of the Neighbor’s Testimony
The noises and activity reported by Walker could indicate several possibilities. The banging and muffled voices might suggest an altercation or an attempt to conceal evidence, such as moving a heavy object or disposing of something incriminating. The presence of an unfamiliar vehicle raises questions about whether someone else was involved or if the Haros were attempting to transport something—or someone—under the cover of night. Given the prosecution’s timeline, which places Emmanuel’s potential date of death between August 5 and August 14, the neighbor’s observations could pinpoint a specific moment when the Haros were addressing the aftermath of Emmanuel’s death.
Walker’s account also aligns with the community’s growing suspicion about the Haro family. She told NewsNation that she found Rebecca’s behavior odd during a search party on August 15, noting that Rebecca appeared to limp only when news cameras arrived, despite walking normally earlier. “It just doesn’t happen where someone walks up behind you out here, knocks you out, and takes a baby with no witnesses,” Walker said, echoing sentiments that the kidnapping story seemed implausible on the busy Yucaipa street. Her testimony about the 3 a.m. activity could bolster the sheriff’s assertion that the kidnapping was fabricated, potentially pointing to a cover-up orchestrated in the early morning hours.
A Troubled Family History
The Haro family’s background has further fueled speculation. Jake Haro was convicted in June 2023 of willful child cruelty for abusing his then-10-week-old daughter, Promise, in 2018. Court records cited by the Orange County Register detail severe injuries, including a skull fracture, brain hemorrhage, and multiple broken bones, leaving Promise, now seven, unable to walk or talk. Jake received 180 days in a work release program and four years of probation, a sentence Riverside County District Attorney Michael Hestrin called a “miscarriage of justice.” Additionally, a two-year-old child was removed from the Haro home after Emmanuel’s disappearance, though details remain confidential due to state laws.
Rebecca Haro’s family also has a history of legal issues. Her brother, James Beushausen, was convicted of murdering his girlfriend in 2017, adding to the scrutiny surrounding the household. These factors, combined with the neighbor’s testimony, paint a picture of a troubled environment that may have contributed to Emmanuel’s fate.
Community and Media Frenzy
The case has drawn significant attention, with true crime enthusiasts and media descending on Cabazon. Posts on X, including one from @JLRINVESTIGATES, described a chaotic scene outside the Haro home, with strangers trespassing and filming, and a neighbor confronting the crowd. Another post from @PettyLupone compared the case to Susan Smith’s 1994 false kidnapping claim, highlighting public skepticism about Rebecca’s story. The neighbor’s testimony has further inflamed speculation, with some online users suggesting the noises could indicate a struggle or an attempt to dispose of Emmanuel’s remains.
Despite the arrests, Rebecca Haro maintained her innocence in a jailhouse interview with The Press-Enterprise, insisting Emmanuel was kidnapped and calling Jake a “good dad.” However, the neighbor’s account, combined with the hidden note and Jake’s prior conviction, has shifted public perception. Vigils continue in Cabazon, with community members like Monica Flores tying balloons to a makeshift memorial, demanding answers for Emmanuel.
Ongoing Investigation and Unanswered Questions
As of September 2, 2025, Emmanuel’s remains have not been found, though investigators believe they have a “strong indication” of their location, according to Riverside County District Attorney Michael Hestrin. A search along the 60 Freeway in Moreno Valley, with Jake Haro present, yielded no results. The neighbor’s testimony about the 3 a.m. activity could guide investigators to new search areas, particularly if the unfamiliar vehicle suggests Emmanuel’s remains were moved that night.
The testimony raises critical questions: What were the banging noises and muffled voices? Who was in the vehicle, and where did it go? Was the activity at 3 a.m. related to Emmanuel’s death, or was it a separate incident? The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department, led by Sheriff Shannon Dicus, continues to urge the public to provide tips, emphasizing that finding Emmanuel remains the priority.
A Case That Could Change Everything
The neighbor’s account of strange noises and suspicious activity at the Haro home at 3 a.m. on August 13, 2025, could be a turning point in the Emmanuel Haro case. It challenges the timeline provided by Rebecca and Jake Haro, supports the prosecution’s narrative of a fabricated kidnapping, and suggests that critical events unfolded in the hours before the public was alerted. As the Haros await their arraignment on September 4, 2025, facing potential life sentences, the neighbor’s testimony stands as a haunting clue in a case marked by tragedy and deception. The search for Emmanuel continues, with the hope that answers will bring closure to a grieving community.
Sources: NewsNation, Los Angeles Times, ABC News, The Orange County Register, KTLA, posts on X