Repeated Legal Decisions Kept Jake Haro Free Before Being Accused of Murder

Jake Haro entered a not guilty plea Thursday on charges of murdering his 7-month-old son Emmanuel at the Riverside County Hall of Justice. But this isn't Haro's first encounter with the law—and an NBC Palm Springs investigation reveals how multiple decisions by both prosecutors and judges kept him out of prison despite a violent history.

A Pattern of Violence

In 2018, Haro was arrested for abusing his 10-week-old daughter Carolina, leaving her permanently bedridden with cerebral palsy. Despite prosecutors seeking prison time when he pleaded guilty in 2023, a visiting judge sentenced him to probation with a suspended six-year term.

Court records show Haro continued racking up charges while free. In July 2024, he was arrested for probation violations and gun possession charges, posted $60,000 bail, and walked free again. Prosecutors appeared in court multiple times but allowed hearings to be delayed—including one moved to September just weeks before Emmanuel's alleged murder.

Blame and Accountability

Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin blamed the sentencing judge: "Mr. Haro should have been in prison at the time that this crime happened. If that judge had done his job, Emmanuel would be alive today."

The DA's office defended their handling, saying the judge controlled sentencing after Haro pleaded directly to the court. Legal experts note judges face limited oversight unless ethical violations can be proven.

Haro remains in custody awaiting trial. The DA's office hasn't indicated whether it will review how his earlier cases were handled.

To watch the full investigative report by NBC Palm Springs' Mary Strong, click the video above.