Father Pleads Guilty to Murder of Missing Infant Emmanuel Haro

The father of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro pleaded guilty Thursday morning to all charges, including murder, in a Riverside courtroom.

Jake Mitchell Haro, 32, of Cabazon, entered guilty pleas to one count each of murder, child endangerment, and filing a false police report during a felony settlement conference at the Hall of Justice in Riverside. The pleas were entered directly to the court, not as part of an agreement with the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. That means the sentencing will be determined by the judge, and Haro faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison.

NBC Palm Springs reporter Brett Rosen, who was present in the courtroom, described Haro as visibly emotional and in tears as he admitted to killing his infant son. Emmanuel’s remains have still not been located.

The case gained widespread attention after the couple initially claimed their baby had been kidnapped in Yucaipa. According to investigators, Rebecca Haro falsely reported that she was attacked in a parking lot while changing Emmanuel’s diaper, and that he was abducted. Authorities later determined that report was fabricated, leading to the couple’s arrest and murder charges filed by the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office.

Jake Haro’s sentencing is scheduled for November 3, 2025, in Department 61 at the Hall of Justice. His wife, Rebecca Renee Haro, 41, is also charged with murder and filing a false police report. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for the same date.

The Riverside County District Attorney’s Office stated it will make no additional comments regarding the case while proceedings for Rebecca Haro remain ongoing.

NBC Palm Springs’s Brett Rosen will continue to provide updates as the case develops.

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