A man who falsely claimed his baby son was abducted has admitted to the murder of the child. Riverside County authorities disclosed that Jake Haro pleaded guilty to three charges: murder, filing a false police report, and endangering a child.
This development follows the disappearance of seven-month-old Emmanuel two months ago, prompting an extensive search for his remains. Emmanuel’s mother, Rebecca, was also arrested on suspicion of murder and providing false information, but her plea status remains undisclosed.
On August 14, Rebecca reported the alleged kidnapping of her son from a Yucaipa sports store parking lot. However, investigators later determined her account to be fabricated. Authorities eventually stopped receiving assistance from the couple after inconsistencies arose in Rebecca’s version of events.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department announced on August 22 that there was no evidence of a kidnapping and that Emmanuel was likely deceased. Subsequently, both Rebecca and Jake were arrested on suspicion of murder. Jake was temporarily released from custody two days later to aid in the search for Emmanuel’s remains.
Officials believe Emmanuel was killed days before the false abduction report. The last confirmed sighting of Emmanuel was on August 5.