Authorities in Southern California have arrested Jake and Rebecca Haro, charging them for the death of their 7-month-old son, Emmanuel Haro, after initially reporting that he had been abducted outside a Big 5 Sporting Goods store in Yucaipa on Aug. 14.
Investigators grew suspicious of the couple’s account and launched a deeper investigation into the circumstances of the child’s death.
Riverside County District Attorney Michael Hestrin stated that Emmanuel likely suffered prolonged abuse leading up to his death.
“We believe baby Emmanuel was subject to abuse over time, and because of that abuse, he succumbed to his injuries,” Hestrin said.
Authorities reportedly used an undercover inmate to obtain a confession from Jake Haro, who allegedly admitted to causing his son’s death and disposing of the body in a trash receptacle; however, law enforcement has not confirmed this.
Rebecca Haro initially claimed that a stranger had abducted Emmanuel while she was changing his diaper outside the store.
She told police, “I got him out of the car seat, and I laid him down so I can get his diaper ready. I fell on the floor, and as soon as I got up, I couldn’t find my son.”
Meanwhile, Jake Haro publicly