YUCAIPA, Calif. (VVNG.com) — The Uvalde Foundation For Kids is once again urging the parents of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro to step forward and join the effort to find their son, issuing a bold public statement on August 19, 2025: “Join the search & you will be protected.”
The national nonprofit, formed in response to the Robb Elementary School shooting, had previously withdrawn from the case and rescinded its reward offer due to what it called a series of “disturbing red flags.”
These included inconsistencies in the family’s account of the alleged kidnapping and a complete breakdown in communication from Emmanuel’s mother, Rebecca Haro.
Daniel Chapin, founder of the Uvalde Foundation For Kids, spoke publicly when the organization pulled out of the case earlier this month.
“We cannot in good conscience, utilize our team and resources when so much is missing in this case,” Chapin said at a press conference in Central Texas. “Of particular concern to us lies within the inconsistencies in the details and the sudden decision by the mother to end communication with law enforcement and our team originally prepared to help. Tell me, what parent would do that who was missing a child? Something is not right in this whole picture. We hope law enforcement will continue to pursue the case so that this precious child may be found and placed in a safe environment.”
Despite that decision, the Foundation said new developments, specifically a statement released by the father’s attorney, have prompted a conditional re-engagement.
James Earle, national team captain of the Foundation’s STOPNOW Volunteer Safety Patrols, issued the updated statement on Tuesday.
“While we have stood by our original decision to withdraw our search support out of Los Angeles, along with the original reward money, following a release today from the attorney for the father of this child, we are prepared to give the benefit of the doubt in this case.”
According to the attorney, the Haro family withdrew from public search efforts after receiving threats, and they have fully cooperated with investigators. In response, the Foundation extended a challenge to the family: “Join our search and you will be protected. A community seeks answers. You say that you do. Prove it, and our foundation and most assuredly a community will follow.”
Earle added: “If you have nothing to hide step forward and you will find you have more support than you could ever imagine. Finding Emmanuel should supersede everything else.”
The Foundation stated it is ready to send members of its volunteer teams directly to the Haro family’s residence to provide assistance and protection, should the family choose to re-engage in the search for Emmanuel.
Case Background
Emmanuel Haro was reported missing on August 14, 2025. According to authorities, his mother claimed she was assaulted and knocked unconscious while changing her son’s diaper outside a retail business on the 34500 block of Yucaipa Boulevard. When she awoke, Emmanuel was gone.
Despite an extensive search involving deputies from both San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, K9 units, and the review of surveillance footage, the child has not been located. Investigators later confronted Rebecca Haro with inconsistencies in her statement, at which point she declined to continue the interview. Authorities have said they are unable to rule out foul play.
According to Riverside County Superior Court records, the missing boy’s father, Jake Mitchell Haro was convicted in June 2023 of felony child cruelty stemming from a 2018 arrest in Hemet, as reported by The Orange County Register.
He was sentenced to 180 days in jail and placed on 48 months of probation. Court records also show he is scheduled to appear in court in early September for an alleged probation violation.
On August 19th, officials confirmed that detectives collected the vehicle of Jake Haro, as part of the initial investigation, looking for evidence potentially linked to the boy’s sudden disappearance. Investigators told KTLA the vehicle was seized and processed for evidence early in the case.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904 or We-Tip at 1-800-78-CRIME.
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