'Inconsistencies' found in statement by mom of missing baby, San Bernardino County authorities say

YUCAIPA, Calif. (KABC) -- As the search continued Saturday for a missing 7-month-old boy, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department said investigators "cannot rule out foul play" in the case after finding "inconsistencies" in a statement made by the child's mother.

Deputies responded just before 8 p.m. Thursday to the 34000 block of Yucaipa Boulevard in Yucaipa, regarding an infant who was reported missing. According to the Sheriff's Department, Rebecca Haro told investigators that she was attacked outside a retail store, and during the attack, the baby, identified as Emmanuel Haro, was taken.

"K9 Units with scent tracking dogs also responded and conducted an exhaustive search for the child and any possible suspects," the Sheriff's Department said in a Thursday statement.

On Saturday morning, the agency released an update on the investigation.

Members of the sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division interviewed several people after the boy's disappearance, including his parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro.

"During those interviews, Rebecca was confronted with inconsistencies in her initial statement and declined to continue with the interview," a news release said. "At this point in the investigation, investigators are unable to rule out foul play in the disappearance of Emmanuel.

"Investigators will continue their investigation to locate Emmanuel Haro," the Sheriff's Department said.

Emmanuel is one of five children in the family from Cabazon. On Friday, Rebecca Haro told ABC7 that on Thursday, they had been in Yucaipa at a football stadium with her children, who play youth football.

She said she had to go to a Big 5 store to buy a mouth guard for her stepson. When she arrived in the parking lot, she said, she realized the baby's diaper needed to be changed, so she laid him down in the back of her truck when she was attacked from behind.

"I got him out of the car seat, and I laid him down so I can get his diaper ready... all I remember, I saw white... I fell on the floor, and as soon as I got up, I couldn't find my son. I checked all around my truck. And I ran into Big 5, and I asked the lady if she saw a baby or someone with a baby. She said no. He's a happy boy," Rebecca Haro said.

"He was a healthy baby, he was crawling, he was kicking, he was playing with his toys. Whoever took our son, please give him back," the baby's father, Jake Haro, told ABC7.

Emmanuel Haro weighs about 21 pounds, is approximately 24 inches tall, has brown hair, brown eyes and is cross-eyed, authorities said. He was last seen wearing a black Nike onesie.

Anyone with information about Emmanuel's disappearance is asked to call 911 or the Sheriff's Department at (909) 387-8313.