Case moves forward for mother accused in Emmanual Haro’s death

It has been seven months since 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro was first reported missing in the Inland Empire, and his mother, Rebecca Haro, appeared in court Thursday after being charged with murder.

Rebecca Haro, 41, was seen in court with her hair covering her face as the case moved forward to trial, four months after her husband, Jake Haro, was sentenced to life in prison for second-degree murder, filing a false police report, and assault on a child.

“He destroyed my family, my children,” the boy’s grandmother, Mary Beushausel, said outside the courtroom, adding that she had asked the judge to show no mercy during her son-in-law’s sentencing. “He never gave me a chance to see my grandchildren and kept my daughter away. This has been horrible for us.”

The case began on August 14 when Emmanuel’s parents reported that he had been taken from a shopping center in Yucaipa. At the time, the father made a public plea for the community’s help in finding his son.

“He has a lazy eye. Only thing that’s distinctive about him is that he has no birthmarks. Beautiful healthy baby boy. 7-month baby boy,” Jake Haro said in the initial report.

Emmanuel Haro, the Cabazon baby whose parents reported him as kidnapped, is presumed to be dead with the search for his remains underway. Karma Dickerson reports for the NBC4 News at 4 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 25, 2025.

One week later, sheriff’s deputies arrested both parents at their home in Cabazon after investigators cited inconsistencies in their statements. 

The search for Emmanuel spanned across the Inland Empire, including rural areas along the 60 Freeway, but authorities say the boy has not been found.

The community continues to follow the case closely. 

Ashley Roe, a resident of Hemet, said, “It’s been a rollercoaster. We have been here from the start. We call each other Emmanuel warriors, and we say we are his parents too because those people failed him.”

The Riverside County District Attorney’s office told NBC4 they have several witnesses lined up for Rebecca Haro’s preliminary hearing, scheduled for May 29.