Criminal justice system "broke down" by giving baby Emmanuel Haro's father freedom after previous child abuse case, Riverside County DA says
The Riverside County district attorney on Wednesday said the criminal justice system "broke down" in a previous child abuse case involving the father of Emmanuel Haro, who is presumed dead after he was reported missing earlier this month.
The comments were made during a news conference updating the cases of Rebecca and Jake Haro, who were charged with murder on Tuesday in connection with the death of their 7-month-old son.
DA Michael Hestrin said his office has a "strong indication" of where Emmanuel's remains could be, although they hadn't been recovered as of Wednesday morning. He also revealed that it's believed the baby was a long-term victim of abuse throughout his short life.
"Eventually, because of that abuse, he succumbed to those injuries," Hestrin said.
The parents have not confessed to the alleged murder since they were taken into custody, according to Hestrin.
He also detailed the 2023 case in which Jake and his ex-wife were prosecuted for a child abuse case against their then-infant child. Jake was prosecuted for child abuse, neglect and cruelty, but pleaded with the court. The judge gave Jake a suspended sentence, Hestrin explained, essentially equating to a probation sentence with 180 days in a work release program.
Hestrin called the decision by that judge to let Jake avoid a prison sentence "outrageous."
"If that judge had done his job as he should have done, Emmanuel would be alive today," he said. "That's a shame and it's an outrage ... When our criminal justice system breaks down, I'm going to call it like it is and say it broke down."
According to Hestrin, Jake and his ex-wife abused their infant child to the point where the child is now permanently bedridden. He provided a list of injuries caused by the abuse, including broken ribs, healing fractures, a partial skull fracture and a broken leg.
"Someone who does that to a child belongs in prison, period," he said.
The Haros are accused of killing their son, Emmanuel, who they claim was abducted on Aug. 15 while Rebecca was changing his diaper in front of a Big 5 sporting goods store. Authorities arrested the couple on Friday following a several-day investigation.
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department determined in the days following Emmanuel's disappearance that the Haros' account of the events was "inconsistent," leading to them being the center of the investigation. Rebecca quickly refused to cooperate with the investigation, despite claims that she was still looking for her son.
The couple appeared in court for the first time on Tuesday. Their arraignments were continued to Sept. 4. Riverside County DA Hestrin said it is not a death penalty case.
