Officials looking for a 7-month-old boy who was reportedly lured outside a California store said his mother had provided an inconsistent statement and foul plays could not be ruled out.
Deputies began searching for Emmanuel Haro on Thursday night after saying that her mother, Rebecca Haro, was lured outside of Yucaipa’s Big 5 sports equipment.
She told investigators she was outside her car and changed Emmanuel’s diaper when an unknown man assaulted her and unconsciously knocked her, the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Office said in a news release.
She told authorities that when she woke up, her son was gone.
Halo told KTLA that all she remembers is hearing strangers before the attack.
“I was about to get some diapers and someone said, ‘Horror’. I have no recollection of anything since then,” said Halo, with dark eyes. “I woke up on the floor here, but I couldn’t see Emmanuel.”
The sheriff’s office said investigators used scented pursuit dogs, but the search failed. Authorities also have no information regarding the suspected slayer.
The boy’s family declined to comment Monday.
In the update, the Sheriff’s Office interviewed several relatives, saying that Halo “facing contradictions in the initial statement and refused to continue the interview.”
“Investigators cannot rule out foul plays for Emmanuel’s loss,” the sheriff’s office said. “Investigators will continue their investigation to find Emmanuel Halo.”
The Sheriff’s Office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.
