California 7-month-old still missing after mom's kidnapping story questioned

USA Today

a day ago

A 7-month-old baby in California is still missing after police said they found "inconsistencies" in his mother's claim that he was kidnapped.
Rebecca Haro said her infant was kidnapped outside a retail store in Yucaipa, California, on Aug. 14 before 8 p.m. local time, according to a release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department (SBCSD).
According to police, Haro said she was changing her son Emmanuel Haro's diaper outside her car when a man assaulted her and knocked her unconscious. When she regained consciousness, the infant was gone, she said.
Investigators have not ruled out foul play. Here's what we know about the case.
More news: Bodies of missing mother, infant found in California canal
Investigators release update in search for missing 7-month-old
In an Aug. 18 update, investigators said they have "conducted extensive searches" in both Yucaipa and Cabazon, where the boy is from.
"Investigators have served several search warrants at the Haro home and utilized K9s to aid in the investigation," SBCSD said in a release.
Officials also said they are reviewing surveillance video from areas of interest.
Yucaipa is 10 miles east of San Bernardino. Cabazon is about 20 more miles away from Yucaipa.
Anyone with information should call Sheriff's Dispatch at 909-387-3545.
Police found 'inconsistencies' in mom's statements, Parents interviewed
On Aug. 16, SBCSD said in a release that investigators have not ruled out foul play in Emmanuel's disappearance.
Multiple people, including Rebecca and Jake Haro, the boy's father, sat for interviews with investigators.
"During those interviews, Rebecca was confronted with inconsistencies in her initial statement and declined to continue with the interview," the sheriff's department said in the release.
Emmanuel Haro was last seen wearing a black Nike onesie. He is about 24 inches tall, has brown hair and brown eyes and is cross-eyed, according to police.
Mom said she got black eye from assault before son was kidnapped
On Aug. 15, a group of Emmanuel Haro's family, including his parents, gathered outside the sporting goods store where he went missing in Yucaipa to distribute missing person fliers.
In interviews with local TV stations, Rebecca Haro appeared with a black eye, which she said she got from the assault.
Rebecca Haro told several news outlets, including KCAL and KTLA, that the family was in the area for another child's football practice. She said she went to the store to buy a mouthguard for her other child when she realized her infant's diaper needed to be changed.
"I took him out of the car seat and laid him on the chair. I had his diapers right here, and someone said, 'Hola.' I couldn't even turn. I don't remember nothing," Rebecca Haro told the outlets.
Mary Beus Hausen, Rebecca Haro's mother, told KCAL that the parents planned to help with search efforts but were called in for more questioning by police.
"They're losing time you know," she said. "They're not gonna hurt their baby."
USA TODAY was not immediately able to reach Rebecca and Jake Haro for comment as of Aug. 19.
Melina Khan is a national trending reporter for USA TODAY. She can be reached at [e-mail].