Riverside County failed to act on reported abuse before baby Emmanuel's death, suit alleges
This is read by an automated voice.Please report any issues or inconsistencies here.
See more from the L.A.Times in Google Search.
Set us as preferred The abuse and death of seven-month-old Emmanuel Haro at the hands of his parents transfixed and horrified the nation.Now, a lawsuit filed in Riverside County Superior Court alleges that if county social workers had done their jobs properly, he would still be alive.
The suit, filed Monday on behalf of Emmanuel’s 3-year-old sister, claims that the Riverside County Department of Public Social Services failed to properly investigate a 2024 report of abuse in the Haro household.As a result of the county’s negligence, the lawsuit alleges, Emmanuel died and his sister continued to suffer physical abuse and neglect by their parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro.The girl was not named in the filing due to privacy concerns.
“Our purpose in bringing this case is to seek justice for our 3-year-old client, but also to shine a light on a tragic failure by the Riverside Department of Public Social Services to protect a child who desperately needed protection,” attorney Roger Booth said in a statement.“DPSS knew as well as anyone that Jake Haro was a very dangerous person and was not safe to be around children.” California Jake Haro, father of missing baby Emmanuel, was sentenced to 25 years to life for killing his 7-month-old son.
His wife, Rebecca Haro, has pleaded not guilty to murder.A DPSS spokesperson said Friday that the county has yet to receive the lawsuit, but noted that it takes every allegation of child abuse or neglect seriously and is deeply concerned when any child is harmed.Emmanuel’s sister, who was placed in foster care after his death in August 2025, was significantly behind developmentally, unable to speak or use a spoon, the lawsuit alleges.She also suffered an intense fear of men, uncontrollable crying spells and insomnia.In June 2024, when she was less than a year old, Riverside County rece...