Jake Haro, who along with his wife was in the national spotlight after their 7-month-old child went missing in the summer, unexpectedly pleaded guilty on Thursday, Oct. 16, to second-degree murder of baby Emmanuel in the Riverside Hall of Justice.
Rebecca Haro had claimed that Emmanuel was kidnapped by a man who she said knocked her unconscious in the parking lot of a Big 5 in Yucaipa on Aug. 14, kicking off the investigation and what has become a national story.
Thursday’s hearing was expected to be routine, with attorneys discussing a new date for the preliminary hearing.
Indeed, that happened, with Rebecca Haro’s preliminary hearing moved from Oct. 28 to Nov. 3.
But then came a stunning statement from Jake Haro’s defense team that he was changing his plea from not guilty and that he was pleading to the court, not in cooperation with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.
Haro’s voice broke more with each response of “Yes, Your Honor” to Superior Court Judge Gary Polk’s questions.Asked whether he was admitting to the murder charge, Haro responded, “I’m guilty.”
Besides second-degree murder, Haro pleaded guilty to assault on a child under 8 years old that results in death, paralysis or a comatose state, and a misdemeanor count of filing a false report,
Second-degree murder differs from first-degree murder in that it is the killing of a person without premeditation. It carries a sentence of 15 years to life.
Haro could receive 25 years to life for the assault conviction.
Assistant Deputy District Attorney Brandon Smith declined afterward to say how Emmanuel was killed because Rebecca’s case is ongoing. She pleaded not guilty Thursday to new, unspecified charges.
Authorities have never said they have found the infant’s remains.
Several people who have followed the case closely and posted about it on social media sat in the back of the courtroom and wept when Jake Haro admitted killing his baby.
“So far, we feel justice is served, but we want to know where he is at so we can give him a proper burial,” one of the spectators, 35-year-old Ashley Lowe of Hemet, said outside court.
Jake and Rebecca Haro appear in court. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times / Pool) Rebecca Haro appears in court for her arraignment on Aug. 26 at the Riverside Hall of Justice. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times / Pool) Jake Haro speaks to Public Defender Brian Cosgrove during his arraignment on Tuesday, Aug. 26 at the Riverside Hall of Justice (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times / Pool) Jake Haro, father of missing baby Emmanuel Haro, is arrested on suspicion of murder and taken into custody on Aug. 22, 2025. (Courtesy San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department) Rebecca Haro, the mother of missing baby Emmanuel Haro, is arrested and taken into custody on suspicion of murder on Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. (Courtesy San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department) Show Caption1 of 5Jake and Rebecca Haro appear in court. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times / Pool) ExpandAt one point, deputies searched unsuccessfully with K9s.
Rebecca Haro, after saying her sone was taken, pleaded in media interviews for the kidnapper to return Emmanuel.
But Investigators interviewed several people and when confronted with inconsistencies in her account, the mother declined to continue talking with them, sheriff’s officials said.
On Aug. 17, San Bernardino County sheriff’s investigators searched the couple’s Cabazon home, signaling their suspicions.
In exclusive jailhouse interview on Aug. 27 with the Southern California News Group, Jake Haro said he would tell his missing son: “I love you, buddy.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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