Emmanuel Haro update as parents face murder charges

The parents of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro pleaded not guilty on Thursday to charges of murder and the misdemeanor of knowingly making a false report of a crime in connection with their son’s disappearance, a case that has drawn national attention and remains unresolved as investigators continue to search for the child’s body.

Jake Haro, 32, and Rebecca Haro, 41, entered their pleas at the Riverside Hall of Justice on September 4, 2025. Both remain in Riverside County jail, each held on $1 million bail, according to court records.

Newsweek contacted attorneys for both parties for comment via email outside of normal office hours on Friday.

Why It Matters

The Haros’ not-guilty pleas mark more than a procedural step—they shift the case from allegation to litigation in a rare “no-body” homicide prosecution. With baby Emmanuel’s father already on probation for child abuse, the case has raised broader concerns about child welfare oversight and public trust in the justice system. Prosecutors now face the challenge of proving murder without a recovered body, while the community awaits answers in the disappearance that began with a reported kidnapping.

What To Know

Initial Abduction Report, Then Arrests

The case began on August 14, 2025, when Rebecca Haro called police in Yucaipa, California, to report that her son had been kidnapped outside a Big 5 Sporting Goods store. She told investigators she was changing Emmanuel’s diaper near her vehicle when a man assaulted her and knocked her unconscious; when she regained consciousness, her son was gone.

Deputies searched the area that night but found no sign of the infant.

Investigators later reported that Rebecca’s account contained “discrepancies”.

The Haros were arrested on August 22 at their home in Cabazon after law enforcement determined there were inconsistencies in their account of what they initially described as an abduction.

In a statement, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said: “While these arrests mark a significant development, our focus remains on finding Emmanuel.”

In the criminal complaints filed against Emmanuel’s parents, prosecutors list the potential date of death for Emmanuel as anywhere between August 5 and August 14, the day his mother said he vanished.

Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin said during an August 27 press conference that investigators believe Emmanuel died as a result of prolonged abuse: “The filing in this case reflects our belief that baby Emmanuel was abused, a victim of child abuse over time, and that eventually, because of that abuse, he succumbed to those injuries.”

According to People, the couple is also parents to a 2-year-old child who was removed from their custody.

Significance of Not Guilty Plea

Jake and Rebecca Haro were each charged with murder and the misdemeanor of knowingly making a false report of a crime.

During their first court appearance on August 26, the charges were formally read, but the couple did not enter pleas at that time.

Their September 4 arraignment marked the first formal response to the allegations.

The parents’ not-guilty pleas formally set the course of the case. By entering them, Jake and Rebecca Haro require prosecutors to present their evidence in court and prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the couple murdered their son.

The plea also underscores that this will likely be a contested case rather than a swift resolution through admission of guilt. That is especially important here because it is a “no-body” homicide: prosecutors allege Emmanuel is dead, but his remains have not been found.

Such cases test the strength of circumstantial evidence and can become legally complex.

Jake Haro has a prior conviction for child abuse (2023) and was on probation for that offense at the time of his arrest.

He has been assigned two public defenders, Paulette Garthwaite and Allison Lowe. Rebecca Haro is represented by defense attorney Jeff Moore, who previously defended Louise Turpin in a high-profile Perris child abuse case.

Search Efforts Continue

In the days following the arrests, Jake Haro was seen in a jail uniform accompanying deputies in what appeared to be a search of a remote desert area in Southern California. Authorities have not confirmed the exact locations but have indicated they believe they know the approximate area where Emmanuel’s remains may be.

The case has unsettled residents of Yucaipa and Cabazon, two communities east of San Bernardino where the Haros lived and where Emmanuel was last reportedly seen, raising questions about child welfare oversight. Hestrin noted that despite Jake Haro’s prior conviction, he was serving probation rather than a prison term. That decision, and its potential connection to Emmanuel’s case, is expected to receive further scrutiny as proceedings advance.

What People Are Saying

San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said in its August 22, 2025, release: “Our focus remains on locating Emmanuel.”

Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin told reporters August 27, 2025, the search was ongoing: “We have a pretty strong indication of where the remains of baby Emmanuel are, but search operations are still underway.”

What Happens Next

The case heads to a preliminary hearing on September 16, where prosecutors must show enough evidence to proceed to trial. If a judge rules there is probable cause, the Haros will face pretrial motions and possible plea negotiations, though prosecutors have signaled they intend to pursue the murder charges. Meanwhile, investigators continue searching for Emmanuel’s remains, which could affect the case’s direction.

Unless a plea deal emerges, the not-guilty pleas set the stage for a full trial that could carry a sentence of 25 years to life in prison if convicted of murder.