Ex-DA Explains Jake Haro's Light Sentence in Child Abuse Case

Child Abuse Case and Plea Deal

• 👶 Jake Haro is accused of child abuse against his 7-month-old son, Emmanuel Haro, who authorities believe died from those injuries.
• ⚖️ Haro pleaded guilty to child abuse two years prior for severely injuring his 10-week-old daughter, leaving her permanently disabled.
• 👨‍⚖️ Despite the daughter's severe injuries, Jake Haro did not serve any prison time for the previous offense.

Blame for Light Sentencing

• 🗣️ The current District Attorney, Mike Hestin, blamed the judge for the lenient sentence in the prior child abuse case, calling it an "outrageous error in judgment."
• 💡 Former Assistant District Attorney Kim DeGonia argues that the Riverside County District Attorney's Office is to blame for improperly charging the case.
• 🔑 DeGonia states that if the former DA had filed the correct charges, specifically "assault with a child under the age of eight causing paralysis," the judge would have been forced to impose a harsher sentence.

Haro's Cooperation and Suspicions

• ❓ Jake Haro has been giving interviews from jail, denying abuse claims and claiming cooperation with investigators.
• 🗺️ He has reportedly assisted in the search for his missing son, leading authorities on a search of a field that yielded no evidence.
• 📍 Authorities now believe they have a "strong indication" of where the baby's body is located.

History of Abuse

• 💔 The 10-week-old daughter suffered broken ribs, a fractured skull, brain swelling, and a fractured leg due to the abuse.
• 📈 DeGonia suggests that Jake Haro's history of severe abuse towards his daughter makes it likely that Emmanuel Haro was abused in a similar manner.