(NewsNation) — A seven-month-old baby has been missing for six days, and neighbors say his disappearance was “very suspicious from the get-go.”

San Bernardino County deputies in southern California have been searching for Emmanuel Haro since Aug. 14. His mother, Rebecca Haro, told police she was changing his diaper in the parking lot of a sporting goods store when a stranger knocked her out and kidnapped the boy.

Police say Haro declined to be interviewed further when they questioned inconsistencies in her story about her son’s disappearance and that detectives haven’t been able to rule out foul play.

Residents in Yucaipa say they aren’t sure what to think about the case.

“The initial reaction was shock, because that doesn’t happen out here. In Yucaipa, it’s very safe, and we’re very, if we see something, people will step in,” Heather Walker told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports.”

“Once we saw that firsthand, her interview, everyone was very suspicious from the get-go, and it wasn’t adding up,” she said.

Walker is among the neighbors who have helped search for Emmanuel.

Rebecca Haro’s ‘strange’ behavior

“I personally saw the mother, Rebecca, the day they were hosting a search party,” she said. “I just thought it was very strange that she was walking to her car just fine … and then the news vehicle started coming in, and then she limped away.

“At that point, I kind of had a very bad feeling that we weren’t searching for a child in the area.”

Police said Haro was inconsistent in her recollections of what happened before Emmanuel’s disappearance.

Walker said she spoke with people who worked at stores near where Emmanuel vanished, and none of them reported seeing Haro with a baby.

“It just doesn’t happen where someone walks up behind you out here, knocks you out, and takes a baby and no witnesses,” Walker said. “And it’s a very busy street.”

Police searched Haro’s home but haven’t announced if they found anything of note. They also seized a vehicle belonging to Emmanuel’s father, Jake Haro, NewsNation affiliate KTLA reported.

Jake Haro pleaded guilty to willful child cruelty after his then-10-week-old daughter was admitted to a hospital with broken bones in 2018, according to the Orange County Register.

Walker said neither parent attended a vigil for Emmanuel. She felt it was strange and said she was upset the Haros have made it seem like the city of Yucaipa is unsafe.

Police have not accused either parent of any crime.

Jake Haro’s lawyer speaks

Jake Haro’s spokesperson and attorney in a separate case, Vincent Hughes, told “Banfield” on Tuesday that he hasn’t stopped cooperating in the investigation and is begging the public to help find his son.

“I don’t know where that statement that they stopped cooperating came from,” Hughes said. “I spoke to the detectives yesterday, offered for Jake to continue to speak with them. Have not been made aware of any requests today to speak with Jake.”

Hughes said he represents only Jake Haro, and that both parents voluntarily turned over their electronic devices and their passwords.

He also confirmed that a 2-year-old was removed from the parents’ home during the investigation into Emmanuel’s disappearance.

Latest police update

The San Bernardino Sheriff’s Department said in an update on Monday that they continue to search for Emmanuel. Their full statement reads:

“On Thursday, August 14, 2025, at 7:47 p.m., deputies in Yucaipa were dispatched to a retail business after Rebecca Haro reported that while she stood outside her vehicle, changing her child’s diaper, she was physically assaulted by an unknown male and rendered unconscious. When she awoke, her 7-month-old infant, Emmanuel Haro, was gone. Deputies and K9 Units from San Bernardino and Riverside Counties responded and began an extensive search. Emmanuel was not located.

“Based on the circumstances, Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division responded and assisted with the investigation. Investigators interviewed multiple individuals, including Emmanuel’s parents Jake and Rebecca Haro. During those interviews, Rebecca was confronted with inconsistencies in her initial statement and declined to continue with the interview. At this point in the investigation, investigators are unable to rule out foul play in the disappearance of Emmanuel.

“Investigators will continue their investigation to locate Emmanuel Haro.”