On Thursday evening, Aug. 14, Little Emmanuel Haro was taken outside a Big 5 Sporting Goods store on Yucaipa Boulevard. His mother, Rebecca Haro, says she was changing her son’s diaper in the back of her truck when she was suddenly struck from behind.
“I got him out of the car seat, and I laid him down so I can get his diaper ready,” Rebecca recalled in an interview with local reporters. “Somebody said, ‘Hola,’ and that’s all I remember. I saw white… I fell on the floor, and as soon as I got up, I couldn’t find my son.And I checked all around my truck, and I ran into Big Five.”
Rebecca suffered a black eye in the attack. After regaining consciousness, she ran into the store frantically asking if anyone had seen a baby, but no one had.
photo-KTLA
Emmanuel is the youngest of five children. His father, Jake Haro, says their happy, energetic baby had just started crawling.
“He was crawling, he was kicking, he was playing with his toys,” Jake told ABC7 News.
The family, who live in Cabazon about 24 miles away, says they have no idea why someone would target them.
“We have no enemies,” Jake said. “We just want him back.”
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department has mobilized a large-scale search effort, including K9 scent-tracking units, specialized investigators, and dozens of community volunteers distributing flyers and combing the area.
But the case faces challenges. The parking lot reportedly lacked security cameras that captured the incident, and investigators say there are no known suspects or vehicle descriptions. Authorities also explained that the case did not meet the criteria for an Amber Alert.
Both parents are making desperate public appeals for Emmanuel’s safe return.
“I’m begging you please, if you know anything, I’m begging you please bring him back,”
Rebecca said, her voice breaking.
Jake added a direct plea to the person who took their baby:
“Please just give him back to us, we’ll forgive you. We won’t bother you, we just want our baby boy. Keep him safe, don’t hurt him, make sure you feed him.”
Authorities describe Emmanuel as about 21 pounds, 24 inches tall, with brown hair and brown eyes. He is also cross-eyed and was last seen wearing a black Nike onesie.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department urges anyone with information to call 911 or contact the Sheriff’s Dispatch at (909) 387-8313.
The investigation remains active as authorities continue working around the clock to bring Emmanuel home.
