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Topics: California, Crime, US News
Emily Brown
Police investigating a child's alleged abduction in California have said they're looking into 'inconsistencies' in the account of events given by the young boy's mother.
Mom Rebecca Haro first spoke with investigators on August 14, after her seven-month-old son, Emmanuel Haro, was allegedly kidnapped from her outside a retail store in Yucaipa, California.
Haro told investigators she had been attacked outside the store that evening and knocked unconscious, and that when she came around her baby boy was missing.
According to ABC7, Haro had been preparing to change Emmanuel's diaper in the back of her truck when she was targeted.
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She said: "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."
In a statement released on August 14, the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department assured that K9 Units with scent tracking dogs had responded to the scene and conducted an 'extensive search' for Emmanuel, as well as searching for 'any evidence that might lead to his location and circumstances surrounding his disappearance'.
However, in an update on August 16 the sheriff's department announced that it had come across 'inconsistencies' in Haro's account of events after conducting interviews.
Members of the sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division spoke with a number of people regarding Emmanuel's disappearance, including both Rebecca and Emmanuel's dad Jake.
In a news release, they then announced: "During those interviews, Rebecca was confronted with inconsistencies in her initial statement and declined to continue with the interview.
"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."
On August 20, a spokesperson for the Sheriff's Department announced that Jake Haro's vehicle had been seized for evidence amid the investigation. However, deputies have not publicly identified a suspect in the case.
Emmanuel Haro was last seen wearing a black Nike onesie, and has been described as weighing about 21 pounds and standing approximately 24 inches tall. He has brown hair and brown eyes, and is cross-eyed, authorities said.
Authorities have asked anyone with information on Emmanuel's disappearance to contact the sheriff's Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904.