A Southern California mother has been sentenced to more than 12 years in prison after pleading guilty to her role in the death of her 7-month-old son and attempting to cover up the crime with a fake kidnapping story.
Rebecca Haro, 41, admitted guilt Friday to felony child ab*se and involuntary manslaughter charges in connection with the death of her baby, Emmanuel, whose remains have not been recovered.
Guilty Plea and Sentence
Haro had initially pleaded not guilty to murder and filing a false police report, while her husband, Jake Haro, 32, had previously pleaded guilty to murder in October and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison.
Prosecutors said Rebecca Haro helped her husband torture the child and later fabricated a kidnapping story to mislead authorities.
The Kidnapping Hoax
The case came to light in August when Rebecca claimed a Spanish-speaking man attacked her while she was changing Emmanuel’s diaper in a San Bernardino parking lot and stole the baby. The parents gave tearful TV interviews pleading for the child’s return. However, investigators found inconsistencies in their story, leading to both parents being arrested for murder.
Although Emmanuel’s body has never been found, Jake Haro reportedly admitted to an undercover inmate that he killed his son and disposed of the body in a trash can.
Father’s Previous Ab*se Case
Jake Haro was already on probation for a 2023 case in which he severely ab*sed his 10-week-old daughter from a previous marriage, leaving her maimed and bedridden. Despite prosecutors’ requests, he had not been incarcerated for that crime before Emmanuel’s death.
Rebecca Haro maintained the kidnapping story even from jail. “I will not give up on my baby,” she told Southern California News Group in August.
Prosecutors’ Statement
Assistant District Attorney Brandon Smith emphasized her role in the tragedy: “Rebecca Haro’s plea and sentence today reflect her sins of parental omission. Her choice not to intervene was a choice to allow, if not facilitate, Emmanuel’s death.”
Community Aftermath
The family home where Emmanuel was killed has undergone major renovations as the community continues to cope with the horrifying case.
