Detectives chased a new lead this week in Central California—another reported sighting of Emmanuel Haro, the 7-month-old whose disappearance has gripped the state. Officials confirmed they looked into the tip on Wednesday, part of a widening search that now stretches beyond the Inland Empire. At the same time, the case has shifted dramatically. Investigators say the kidnapping story that first launched the hunt was made up, and both of the baby’s parents are now jailed on suspicion of murder.
San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus called the case “tragic,” adding, “We will continue to search for Emmanuel. I trust our justice system will hold the parents accountable.” Detectives say they believe the infant is deceased, though his body has not been found. The search remains active across multiple locations, with investigators pulling surveillance footage, serving warrants, and combing through tips that continue to pour in from across the state.
A week of shifting stories and a widening search
The case began on August 14 in Yucaipa. That day, Emmanuel’s mother, Rebecca Haro, told authorities she was attacked in a Big 5 Sporting Goods parking lot while changing her baby’s diaper. She said she woke up to find both her child and the attacker gone. Within days, San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department detectives publicly noted “inconsistencies” in her account. The department later said the kidnapping did not occur and that the story had been fabricated.
What followed was a fast-moving investigation that expanded across county lines. On Friday, August 22, a tactical team moved on the parents’ home in Cabazon. Armored vehicles knocked down the front gate, and detectives searched the property with drones and other specialized tools. Rebecca Haro, 41, and her husband, Jake Haro, 32, were arrested on suspicion of murder. Investigators simultaneously continued to track the baby’s last known movements, reviewing hours of surveillance video and working multiple search areas, including Yucaipa and Cabazon.
On Wednesday, authorities chased a reported sighting in Central California. They declined to say exactly where, but confirmed they followed up. As of late week, they had not announced any confirmation tied to that lead. It’s one of several tips that have surfaced since national coverage drew out-of-state visitors and online sleuths to the case.
Here’s the key timeline as described by authorities and court records:
- Aug. 14: The mother reports a parking lot attack in Yucaipa and claims the baby was kidnapped.
- Following days: Detectives flag “inconsistencies” and say the kidnapping narrative was fabricated.
- Aug. 22: Parents arrested at their Cabazon home; armored vehicles breach the gate; property searched with drones.
- Ongoing: Searches continue in Yucaipa and Cabazon; authorities collect and review surveillance footage and serve multiple warrants.
- This week: Investigators follow up on a reported sighting in Central California; no confirmation announced.
Beyond those events, deputies in Riverside County responded Thursday to a child abuse call at a Moreno Valley home. Officials said that investigation is connected to the Haro case. Court records also show that in 2018, Jake Haro pleaded guilty to willful cruelty to a child after a prior arrest. Those details add context to the current allegations but do not, on their own, prove what happened to Emmanuel. The couple will have their first court appearances next week, where prosecutors could lay out more specifics.
Meanwhile, rumors around the neighborhood have been loud. Investigators looked into a fire reported at a neighbor’s property near the Cabazon home, but said they’ve found no evidence linking that blaze to the missing infant. The message from law enforcement has been consistent: keep the focus on verifiable information, and let the forensic work play out.
Inside the investigation and what comes next
Without a body, investigators rely on a mix of evidence types: digital records, surveillance video, witness statements, forensic testing from the home and vehicles, and timelines that can be proved or disproved. Detectives have already said they’re pouring through extensive surveillance video. In practical terms, that can mean pulling cameras from businesses, parking lots, and homes, then matching time stamps against phone records and vehicle movements. If the reported sighting in Central California pans out, it will have to fit cleanly into that timeline.
Cases like this often hinge on small details—receipt times, location data, a neighbor’s camera, a store’s back lot view. When a reported abduction later proves false, it complicates the earliest hours of a search, because first responders are aimed at a kidnapping scenario. Rebuilding the timeline from scratch takes time and manpower, and it can send detectives back to square one to re-check alibis, camera angles, and physical evidence.
Detectives have not disclosed what led them to conclude the baby is deceased. That’s typical while search operations continue. If the district attorney files formal charges, the probable cause statement or court filings may outline more of the evidence. For now, investigators are balancing two tracks—looking for Emmanuel’s remains and building a case that stands up in court.
Community response has been steady. Around 50 people gathered at a small memorial for the baby and held vigils this week, even after the parents’ arrests. Some came from other states, driven by social media and nonstop updates. That attention helps keep tips flowing, but it also creates noise that detectives have to work through. Authorities say they welcome credible leads and ask residents to avoid spreading unverified claims. If you live near Yucaipa or Cabazon and have outdoor cameras or dashcam footage from mid-August, it may be worth checking—law enforcement has been pulling video across those areas.
The Moreno Valley abuse call and the 2018 child cruelty case involving the father are now part of the broader picture. Prosecutors often review prior incidents for patterns, but each case still has to be proved on its own facts. The latest arrests are for suspicion of murder; the district attorney will decide the exact charges after reviewing the evidence. The parents are scheduled to appear in court next week. Their bail status and potential pleas weren’t immediately available.
As for the Central California lead, investigators tend to test sightings in a few steps. First, they verify the origin of the tip and any supporting details, like a license plate, store receipt, or a time and place that can be matched to cameras. Next, they look for overlapping data—cell phone pings, traffic cameras, or other witnesses. Finally, they test whether the report lines up with confirmed movements already on the timeline. Most reported sightings don’t hold up, but detectives still have to check them.
Back in Cabazon, the searches have been thorough. Breaching the gate with armored vehicles allowed detectives to secure the scene and move quickly to collect potential evidence. Drones help map the property, photograph items in place, and guide ground teams. Specialized tools can also detect disturbed soil or highlight areas for closer inspection. None of that replaces eyewitness testimony or lab work, but it helps narrow down where to look.
In cases involving very young children, prosecutors sometimes file charges before remains are found if they believe they have enough evidence to show a death occurred and someone is responsible. These are often called “no-body” cases. They demand a clear, consistent narrative supported by records, expert testimony, and physical findings that point in one direction. It’s a high bar, and juries expect details.
For the families and neighbors watching this unfold, the immediate question is simple: where is Emmanuel? Detectives say that’s what drives the daily work—searching lots, re-checking tips, and collecting video that might point to a specific place. The sheriff’s public statement made one thing clear: investigators aren’t closing the search even as the courtroom process begins.
As the court date approaches, a few things to watch: whether prosecutors reveal new evidence in charging documents; whether any new searches are announced; and whether law enforcement returns to any of the early locations to run follow-up checks. Also watch for updates on the Central California lead and any additional warrants served in Riverside or San Bernardino counties.
For now, the case stands on two tracks—an active homicide investigation and a community still holding vigils for a baby who has not been found. Anyone with firsthand information is urged to contact law enforcement. Authorities have said they will continue to evaluate every credible tip, wherever it comes from.
