The urgent search for a 7-month-old boy in Southern California, reported kidnapped, has taken a troubling turn after authorities revealed that the child’s mother gave “inconsistent” statements and later stopped cooperating with investigators.
Rebecca Haro had publicly pleaded for the return of her son, Emmanuel, claiming that a stranger attacked her, rendering her unconscious, and then abducted the baby while she was changing his diaper in the family car outside a sporting goods store in Yucaipa, San Bernardino County, roughly 70 miles east of Los Angeles.
Rebecca and Jake Haro told ABC7 that their missing son, Emmanuel, was a “happy boy” and urged for his safe return. However, authorities say Rebecca’s account contained “inconsistencies.”
“I was going to get the diaper when someone said, ‘Hola,’ and I don’t remember anything after that,” she told KTLA, showing a visible black eye. “I woke up on the floor and Emmanuel was gone.”
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department arrived at the scene and launched a search for the baby, deploying K-9 units to assist in locating him.
Emmanuel Haro was described as a 21-pound, 24-inch-tall baby with brown hair and eyes, and crossed eyes.
“Whoever took my son, please bring him back,” the boy’s father, Jake, told ABC7. “We just want him safe. We won’t harm you—just return our son, keep him safe, and make sure he’s fed and changed.”
However, on Saturday morning, the sheriff’s department issued a striking update, saying that while the search continues, “investigators are unable to rule out foul play” in Emmanuel’s disappearance due to “inconsistencies” in Rebecca’s account.
“Investigators spoke with several people, including Emmanuel’s parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro. During these interviews, Rebecca was confronted about inconsistencies in her initial statement and chose not to continue cooperating,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in a statement Saturday morning.
Authorities described Emmanuel as weighing 21 pounds and measuring about 24 inches tall, with brown hair, brown eyes, and crossed eyes. He was last seen wearing a black Nike onesie.
Anyone with information about the baby’s whereabouts is urged to contact the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dispatch at 909-387-8313.
The SBSD did not respond to a Sunday email from The Post seeking clarification regarding the alleged inconsistencies in Rebecca Haro’s account.
