LOS ANGELES (KTLA) — San Bernardino County sheriff’s investigators announced Saturday they are “unable to rule out foul play” in the disappearance of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, noting that they confronted the baby’s mother with inconsistencies in her initial account during interviews.
Deputies were called just before 7:47 p.m. Thursday to a Big 5 Sporting Goods in Yucaipa, about an hour outside of Los Angeles, where Rebecca Haro reported she had been attacked by a stranger while changing her son’s diaper next to her car.
“I was going to get the diaper and somebody said, ‘Hola,’ and I don’t remember anything since,” Rebecca recalled to Nexstar’s KTLA in tears. “I woke up here on the floor, and I didn’t see Emmanuel.”
K-9 teams and helicopters were deployed, and deputies from San Bernardino and Riverside counties conducted an extensive search, but Emmanuel was not found.
The Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division interviewed multiple people, including Emmanuel’s parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro. During those interviews, investigators said Rebecca was confronted about inconsistencies in her initial statement and that she then declined to continue speaking with detectives.
“At this point in the investigation, investigators are unable to rule out foul play in the disappearance of Emmanuel,” SBSD stated, adding that the investigation is ongoing.
Mary Beushausen, the child’s grandmother, told KTLA that the couple loves their son and wouldn’t do anything to hurt him. She claimed authorities asked Rebecca to take a lie detector test, but her husband refused to do so until they hired a lawyer.
Court records showed Jake has a criminal record, though it’s unclear what the alleged offenses were for.
An AMBER Alert has not been activated because the case does not meet the criteria without a suspect or vehicle description, authorities said.
Friends and family began a search effort Friday night. On Saturday, Beushausen said authorities had searched the couple’s Cabazon home and reportedly brought cadaver dogs.
Rebecca and Jake Haro pleaded for their son’s safe return.
“Whoever took my son, please return him,” Jake said. “We just want him back. We won’t do anything to you. Just give us our son. Keep him safe, don’t hurt him, make sure you feed him and change him.”
“If you know anything, please come forward or take him to the cops,” Rebecca said. “Please come and bring my son back. I’m begging you.”
Emmanuel is about 24 inches tall and weighs about 21 pounds. He has brown hair, brown eyes, and is cross-eyed. He was last seen wearing a black Nike onesie.
Anyone who knows Emmanuel’s whereabouts or has information on the case is urged to call 911, Sheriff’s Dispatch at 909-387-8313, or the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904. Anonymous tips can be submitted to We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or at wetip.com.
KTLA’s Luis Zuniga and Sofia Pop Perez contributed to this report.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by PostX News and is published from a syndicated feed.)