Riverside County, California — Rebecca Haro, 41, was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison Friday after pleading guilty to felony child abuse and involuntary manslaughter in the horrific torture death of her 7-month-old son, Emmanuel Haro.

Haro admitted her role in the abuse and helping cover up the crime by fabricating a kidnapping story, according to prosecutors. Her husband, Jake Haro, 32, previously pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison last year.

The case first came to public attention in August 2025 when Rebecca Haro claimed she was attacked by a Spanish-speaking man in a San Bernardino County parking lot while changing Emmanuel’s diaper. She told authorities the man knocked her unconscious and abducted the infant. The story triggered a large-scale search, but investigators later determined it was a fabricated cover-up.

Prosecutors said Rebecca Haro was aware of the ongoing abuse inflicted on Emmanuel by her husband but failed to intervene or seek help for the child. Assistant District Attorney Brandon Smith stated, “Rebecca Haro’s plea and sentence today reflect her sins of parental omission. Her choice not to intervene was a choice to allow, if not facilitate, Emmanuel’s death.”

Emmanuel’s remains have never been found.

Haro had initially faced more serious charges, including murder and filing a false police report, but changed her plea as part of a deal with prosecutors. She had previously maintained the false kidnapping narrative even while in custody.

The sentencing brings a partial close to one of Southern California’s most disturbing child abuse cases in recent years. The couple’s surviving children were previously removed from their care.

The case has drawn widespread outrage over the failure to protect the defenseless infant despite prior warnings and opportunities for intervention.