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Mom Claims Mystery Man Said “Hola” Before Knocking Her Out & Stealing Baby - BUT No One Saw A Baby

Rotten Mango

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Published: Tue Sep 02 2025

The story was simple. Perhaps, a little too simple.  Rebecca says she pulled into the parking lot of the sports store with her 7 month old son, Emmanuel.  She went to get him from the back but a creepy man walked up to her, said “hola,” knocked her out, and stole her son.  A tragic situation. But what if it never even happened? There are so many questions that don’t make sense if her story is true -  Rebecca claims she didn’t see the man at all before he knocked her out. She says he came up from behind her. But how did she get punched in the middle of her face where she now has a black eye if he came up behind her? Also if her black eye is from the kidnapper punching her in the face - why are there reports that family members saw her with a black eye weeks before the abduction? How come she keeps using past tense when referring to her son? And why did she making missing child flyers in an effort to find her son but disconnect her phone so that no tips/sightings would actually ...

Summary

Rotten Mango - Episode Summary

Podcast: Rotten Mango
Host: Stephanie Soo
Episode: Mom Claims Mystery Man Said “Hola” Before Knocking Her Out & Stealing Baby - BUT No One Saw A Baby
Date: September 2, 2025

Overview

This episode dives deep into the suspicious disappearance of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, a case that has ignited widespread suspicion online due to the mother's strange behavior and inconsistencies in the family's story. Host Stephanie Soo meticulously dissects the psychological, behavioral, and factual elements surrounding the incident—including social media reactions, law enforcement perspectives, and the disturbing family history surrounding both parents.

The central question: Did Rebecca Haro's baby actually get kidnapped in a shocking, split-second parking lot attack, or is something far more sinister (and domestic) at play?

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Alleged Kidnapping Narrative (04:02–06:25)

  • Rebecca Haro's Story: Rebecca claims she was in a Big Five Sporting Goods parking lot, preparing to change Emmanuel’s diaper, when a stranger approached from behind, said “Hola,” knocked her out, and took her baby. Upon awakening, Emmanuel was gone.
  • Initial Police & Public Response: Rapid police response with K9 units and helicopters. The public’s immediate suspicion that Rebecca’s story doesn’t add up.

“She literally just heard 'Hola', got knocked out, woke up and her son is gone. Gone, just like that. Just gone.”
— Stephanie Soo (05:32)

2. Rebecca’s Behavior and Suspicion Online (06:30–20:49)

  • Odd Interview Demeanor & Body Language: Rebecca presented atypical emotional cues: lack of franticness, minimal tears, no visible distress, using past tense for Emmanuel, and employing distancing language (“the baby” instead of his name).
  • Online Analysis: TikTokers and body language experts dissect her interviews, pointing to inconsistencies and feigned emotion.

“Body language experts say again, she is sucking air. She's not sucking air inward. She's breathing outward.”
— Stephanie Soo (15:31)

  • Lack of Personal Details: Both parents consistently used detached language, offered little real description of Emmanuel, and barely pleaded for help in media appearances.

“He just has a lazy eye. I mean, I feel like there's got to be on other things.”
— Stephanie Soo on Jake’s description of Emmanuel (24:48)

3. The Dad’s Role and More Red Flags (23:41–35:15)

  • Jake Haro’s Odd Interviews: Jake’s emotion appeared forced (faux tear wiping at the wrong spot; see 34:01), used distancing words, and wore a white hoodie during a heatwave (“why are you wearing a hoodie?”).
  • Disconnection With the Case: Neither Jake nor Rebecca seemed genuinely distraught, nor did their family.

“At one point, Jake just straight up looks at the camera and states, whoever took our son, please give him back. And he does this and he wipes a tear off his, off the side of his face.”
— Stephanie Soo (33:52)

4. Other Family Involvement, Rumors & Community Reactions (35:15–49:03)

  • Dysfunctional Family Dynamics: Rebecca’s mother and Jake’s sister publicly defend the couple—often inconsistently. Rebecca’s mother claims she was waiting years to have a child (despite already having three).
  • Community Disbelief: Reports of community searches wearing "Where is the baby?" shirts. Big Five employees allegedly claim Rebecca was at the store days earlier and never had a baby with her.
  • Rebecca Disconnects Her Phone: After flyer distribution, Rebecca disables her phone number instead of staying available for tips.

“Rebecca actually disconnects her phone number after these flyers go out, which is sufficiently suspicious.”
— Stephanie Soo (41:38)

5. Escalating Investigation & Police Doubt (49:03–54:21)

  • Medical Timeline Contradictions: Bruising on Rebecca’s face (black eye) was in an advanced state of healing at the time of the alleged attack, suggesting it predated the incident.
  • Missing Surveillance Evidence: No camera footage from Big Five, but adjacent stores’ tapes spark the police's doubt—Rebecca stops cooperating.
  • Blood Evidence & Arrests: Forensic teams find a substantial amount of blood in the Haro home. Both parents are arrested and charged with Emmanuel’s murder, authorities believe the kidnapping never happened.

6. Disturbing Family History & Prior Abuse (60:36–68:33)

  • Jake’s Prior Conviction: In 2018, Jake and his then-wife Vanessa were convicted of brutal child abuse against their 10-week-old daughter (“Baby A”), who sustained devastating lifelong injuries. Jake pleaded guilty but only received a “slap on the wrist” sentence (180-day work release).
  • Children Removed from Home: Vanessa’s cousin adopts Jake’s abused children, later also taking in Jake & Rebecca’s unprotected 2-year-old daughter after Emmanuel’s disappearance.

“Jake nearly killed this baby and they let him go. So then he has two more babies with Rebecca, and it seems like he killed Emmanuel.”
— Stephanie Soo (67:31)

7. Systemic Failures and Intergenerational Crime (70:02–76:23)

  • Other Murders in Rebecca’s Family: Rebecca’s brother is serving a life sentence for killing his girlfriend (with their mother—Rebecca’s mom, Mary—publicly defending him). Jake's brother died at Rebecca & Jake’s house in 2021. Jake’s first wife files a restraining order post-Emmanuel’s disappearance.
  • Legal Twists: Social media swirl over unconfirmed rumors (e.g., Jake’s supposed “confessions” in jail) are refuted at a DA press conference.
  • Lack of Evidence Emmanuel Existed Recently: Many friends, relatives, and even Rebecca’s ex-husband didn’t know about Emmanuel’s existence.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

  • On Doubt Toward Rebecca’s Story:

    • “The initial public reception to all of this is uncomfortable... there is something about Rebecca that is just weird.” — Stephanie Soo (06:30)

  • On Interview Red Flags:

    • “Her word choice is very fascinating. She says things like, he was a happy boy. He smiled. Obviously, past tense is strange.” — Stephanie Soo (15:41)

  • Jake’s Detachment:

    • “In another part, he says he was a healthy baby. He was crawling, he was kicking, he was playing with his toys.” — Stephanie Soo (25:06)

  • Speculation on Internal Motivation:

    • “If Rebecca is lying, then where was Emmanuel last seen and when was he even last seen? We don't even know that.” — Stephanie Soo (41:31)

  • Bruising Timeline:

    • “A lot of medical professionals are saying that just doesn’t make sense. Like, if I saw that in the hospital, if a patient had that, I would never in a million years think that that was from the past 24 hours.” — Stephanie Soo (49:54)

  • Prior Child Abuse Details:

    • “The skull fracture is consistent with impacts of the head. Multiple rib fractures are typically caused by a squeezing mechanism of the chest.” — Stephanie Soo (62:44)

Important Segment Timestamps

  • Dog Scent Tracking & Introduction to the Case: 01:51–04:01
  • Initial Kidnapping Narrative: 04:02–06:25
  • Analysis of Rebecca’s TV Interview & Behavioral Red Flags: 13:12–19:06
  • Suspicious Behavior of Jake During Interviews: 23:41–35:15
  • Community and Family Response; Flaws in the Story: 35:15–49:03
  • Medical Evidence, Timeline Contradictions, and Arrests: 49:03–54:21
  • Jake’s History of Child Abuse; Systemic Failure: 60:36–68:33
  • Family Pattern of Violence and Denial: 70:02–76:23
  • Update on Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Mystery: 82:50–85:28

Current Status and Remaining Questions

  • Both Rebecca and Jake Haro are in jail, charged with Emmanuel’s murder.
  • There is no confirmed confession, and the body has not been recovered.
  • Authorities and the public remain skeptical due to the parents’ behavior, inconsistencies, and their criminal backgrounds.
  • The episode ends with the case unresolved and an arraignment scheduled for September 4, 2025.

Conclusion & Host’s Final Reflection

Stephanie Soo closes by highlighting the failures of the justice and child welfare systems to protect vulnerable children and the danger of relying solely on online analysis for answers. She emphasizes the ongoing uncertainty—Emmanuel’s body is still missing, and the remaining details are clouded by rumors, conflicting testimony, and a disturbing pattern of familial dysfunction and violence.

“Let me know your thoughts on this case... and stay safe.” — Stephanie Soo (85:28)

No transcript available.