Father of Missing Toddler in California with Felony Child Cruelty Record

Ongoing Investigation into the Disappearance of a 7-Month-Old Boy

Authorities in San Bernardino County are continuing their search for a 7-month-old boy who went missing under mysterious circumstances. As more details emerge, law enforcement has taken several steps to locate the child, including searching the family's home and using cadaver dogs. Meanwhile, an independent group that had offered a reward for information has decided to halt its efforts due to concerns about the case.

The incident occurred on August 14 when Rebecca Haro, the boy’s mother, claimed she left her husband, Jake Mitchell Haro, and their two other children at a local park while she went to buy a mouthguard for one of the boys. According to her account, she parked near the edge of the park and laid the baby down next to the car seat to change his diaper. She then heard a stranger’s voice before losing consciousness.

“I was going to get the diaper and somebody said, ‘Hola,’ and I don’t remember anything since,” she recalled in tears. “I woke up here on the floor and I didn’t see Emmanuel.”

Despite the efforts of Riverside and San Bernardino county sheriff departments, which deployed K-9 units and helicopters, no significant progress has been made in locating the child. An AMBER Alert was not issued because the criteria for such an alert were not met without a suspect or vehicle description.

Concerns Over the Couple’s Cooperation

Authorities have expressed concerns about the cooperation of the boy’s parents during the investigation. Rebecca Haro reportedly refused to continue speaking with investigators after inconsistencies in her story were brought to light. The child’s grandmother, who believes the couple is innocent, mentioned that Rebecca was asked to take a lie detector test, but her husband, Jake, initially refused until they had a lawyer present.

Riverside County Superior Court records reveal that Jake Mitchell Haro has a prior felony conviction for child cruelty from 2018. He was sentenced to 180 days in jail and 48 months of probation. He is scheduled to appear in court in early September for an alleged probation violation.

Suspension of Independent Search Efforts

Friends and family launched a search effort on Friday night, but authorities reportedly searched the couple’s home in Cabazon on Saturday, bringing along cadaver dogs. Officials from the San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department stated that foul play cannot be ruled out at this stage of the investigation.

The Uvalde Foundation for Kids, which had offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the recovery of the child, called off its independent search less than a day after announcing the effort. The foundation’s founder, Daniel Chapin, expressed concerns over the inconsistencies in the details provided by the mother and her sudden decision to end communication with law enforcement.

“We cannot in good conscience utilize our team and resources when so much is missing in this case. Of particular concern to us lies within the inconsistencies in the details and the sudden decision by the mother to end communication with law enforcement and our team…Something is not right in this whole picture,” Chapin said.

Appeal for Public Assistance

Rebecca and Jake Haro continue to plead for the safe return of their son, Emmanuel. The child is approximately 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 with information about the boy’s whereabouts or the case is urged to contact emergency services. Tips can be submitted through the following channels:

• Call 911
• Contact Sheriff’s Dispatch at 909-387-8313
• Reach out to the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904
• Submit anonymous tips via We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME (27463) or online at wetip.com