Authorities in San Bernardino County announced the arrest of two California parents on Friday, suspected of murdering their seven-month-old son.

Jake and Rebecca Halo claimed their son Emmanuel went missing from a parking lot in Yucaipa back in August. However, Sheriff Shannon Dykas stated in a press release that investigators found no evidence supporting their story. “The circumstances surrounding this investigation are tragic, and we will continue to search for Emmanuel,” Dykas noted. “We trust that the judicial system will hold these parents accountable.”

On August 14, Rebecca reported to the police that an individual had assaulted her and then changed Emmanuel’s diaper in the parking lot of a Big 5 Sports Goods Store. She claimed to have regained consciousness only to discover that both her baby and the alleged assailant were missing.

Upon reviewing security footage in the area, investigators found discrepancies in Rebecca’s account and shifted the investigation’s focus from a missing child case to a more serious investigation related to her son’s disappearance.

Last week, authorities executed a search warrant at the couple’s home in Cabazon, and a two-year-old child was subsequently placed under the care of Riverside County Conservation Services. Jake Halo’s attorney noted that thorough searches of the property were conducted, including digging in the garden and using police dogs, as reported by CBS News. The parents also turned over a locked mobile phone and a vehicle to the detectives.

As of August 22, the sheriff’s department had publicly stated that Jake and Rebecca Halo were arrested at their residence on murder charges. Authorities remain engaged in the ongoing search for Emmanuel.

Jake Halo has a prior criminal record that includes child-related offenses, having pleaded guilty to intentional child cruelty in 2023. Additionally, his ex-wife recently filed a restraining order to prevent him from having visitation rights with their oldest child.

Deputies have indicated that they do not believe any other individuals were involved in Emmanuel’s death. Despite extensive searches and numerous tips, the infant’s body has not yet been found.