Crime
Jake Haro, father of baby Emmanuel Haro pleaded guilty to all charges in the murder case
RIVERSIDE, Calif. — The father of missing 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro has pleaded guilty to all charges, including second-degree murder, in connection with the infant’s death.
During what was scheduled as a felony settlement conference on Thursday, Jake Haro entered his guilty plea before a Riverside County judge.
Haro appeared visibly emotional and cried as he admitted to killing his infant son, whose remains have still not been found since his disappearance in May.
Prosecutors said the plea was entered directly to the judge, without any negotiated agreement between the defense and prosecution.
The charges include second-degree murder, assault of a child under eight causing great bodily injury resulting in death, and filing a false police report.
Haro now faces a potential sentence of 25 years to life in prison. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for November 3 in Riverside County Superior Court.
Meanwhile, Emmanuel’s mother, Rebecca Haro, who is also charged with murder and filing a false police report, has pleaded not guilty.
Her preliminary hearing is set for the same day as her husband’s sentencing, during which the court will determine if there is sufficient evidence to proceed to trial.
The case began in August, when Rebecca Haro initially reported that her son had been kidnapped outside a Yucaipa store following an alleged assault.
Law enforcement officers, assisted by K-9 units, launched an extensive search for the missing infant. However, investigators later uncovered inconsistencies in her account, leading authorities to reclassify the case.
On August 22, both Jake and Rebecca Haro were arrested in Cabazon after detectives concluded that the reported kidnapping had been fabricated.
Four days later, at a press conference, Riverside County District Attorney Mike Hestrin announced that investigators had evidence Emmanuel had been “severely abused over time” and said they had a strong indication of where his remains might be located, though none have yet been recovered.
Both parents have remained in custody on $1 million bail since their arrests.
As of now, investigators continue efforts to locate Emmanuel’s remains and gather additional evidence in the ongoing case.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.