Author: KESQ

Garrett Hottle

CABAZON, Calif. (KESQ) Investigators have conducted extensive searches in Yucaipa and Cabazon and are reviewing a large amount of surveillance video in the disappearance of 7-month-old Emmanuel Haro, and they “are unable to rule out foul play,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said Monday in an updated advisory.

Deputies were called at 7:47 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14 to the 34500 block of Yucaipa Boulevard after Rebecca Haro reported she was assaulted by an unknown male and rendered unconscious while changing her child’s diaper beside her vehicle; when she awoke, Emmanuel was gone, the San Bernardino SHeriff’s Department said in a news release. Deputies and K-9 units from San Bernardino and Riverside counties searched the area that night, but Emmanuel was not located, according to the department.

In the days since, investigators served several search warrants at the Haro home that include the use of K-9s, and collected and are reviewing surveillance video from areas of interest, the sheriff’s department said in an Aug. 18 advisory.

Detectives interviewed multiple people, including Emmanuel’s parents, Jake and Rebecca Haro. During those interviews, Rebecca was confronted with inconsistencies in her initial statement and declined to continue, the sheriff’s department said. At this point in the investigation, foul play cannot be ruled out, according to the department.

Separately, Riverside County District Attorney’s Office records show Jake Mitchell Haro has a prior felony conviction arising from an Oct. 12, 2018 offense. The DA’s office said Haro pleaded guilty on June 8, 2023, to a felony child cruelty charge, which was prosecuted by the office’s Sexual Assault and Child Abuse Unit. Haro was placed on four years of felony probation and ordered to serve 180 days in jail on the work-release program; six years in prison were suspended as part of the plea, according to records from the Riverside County District Attorney’s office. 

According to a felony complaint filed Oct. 5, 2021, in Riverside County Superior Court, both Jake Mitchell Haro and Vanessa Avina (aka Vanessa Haro) were charged with Penal Code §273a(a) involving a child identified as Jane Doe.

News Channel Three’s Garrett Hottle spoke with both Jake Haro and Vincet Hughes, Haro’s attorney off camera outside the Haro home in Cabazon. Dozens of people including community residents, content creators, and reporters stood outside the home Monday. Jake Haro telling News Channel Three’s Garrett Hottle he feels like he’s being harassed at time when his child is missing. We did press for an on-camera interview from both the Jake Haro and his attorney. We’ll update you with any additional information as soon as it comes in.

Anyone with information in Emmanuel’s case is asked to contact the Sheriff’s Specialized Investigations Division at 909-890-4904 or We-Tip at 800-78-CRIME (27463) or wetip.com, the sheriff’s department said.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs police said it will implement a “series of significant safety reforms” to prevent incidents similar to an officer’s crash during last year’s Festival of Lights parade.

Last year, a PSPD motorcycle unit crashed into a crowd of people during the parade. Police said as the parade began, several officers performed “unsanctioned maneuvers without coordination or clear communication.” An officer lost their balance, fell, and the motorcycle slid into the crowd.

12 people were injured, including a 4-year-old and a 12-year-old.

The California Highway Patrol investigated the collision and submitted its findings to the Riverside County District Attorney for review.

The DA has not yet released the report, however, PSPD released its findings from its own administrative review.

PSPD acknowledged that “supervisory oversight during the event fell short of expected standards.” In line with the Administrative Review’s recommendations, PSPD officials said it has already begun implementing the following reforms:

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● Developing a clear citywide policy prohibiting any risky behavior by officers and parade participants.● Limiting police and fire vehicles to under 15 miles per hour unless there is an emergency. ● Hiring a full-time special events supervisor to focus solely on large event planning and crowd safety.● Outlining clearer protocols for communication between the Traffic Sergeant and Motor Officers during large events.● Retraining all management and supervisors on the Incident Command Structure, establishing tighter command and control policies.● Adopting a new Fatigue Management Protocol, ensuring officers are physically and mentally fit for duty, particularly when managing high-stress or extended operations.

“The police department is taking meaningful action not only to reform the way it operates, but to rebuild the public’s trust,” said Scott Stiles, City Manager.

Chief Mills added, “We are committed to ensuring an incident like this never happens again. The Palm Springs Police Department remains dedicated to accountability and the safety of our community.”

Stay with News Channel 3 for any new developments.

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City News Service

CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. (KESQ) – Cathedral City police cited seven drivers during a DUI and driver’s license checkpoint held over the weekend, authorities said today.

The checkpoint was held from 6 a.m. Friday until 2 a.m. Saturday at Ramon and Roundup roads, with support from Desert Hot Springs Police Department, according to Sgt. Daniel Anes.

Of the 471 vehicles screened, six drivers were cited for allegedly driving without a license and one driver was cited for allegedly not having a license in their possession, Anes said.

The checkpoint location was based on history of DUI-related crashes and arrests within the city.

Funding for the operation was provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety.

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Jesus Reyes

WHITEWATER, Calif. (KESQ) – A 54-year-old man was arrested after being accused of attempted murder and attempted rape in the Whitewater area over the weekend.

The incident was first reported on Saturday at approximately 7:10 a.m. on the 60000 block of Dillon Road.

“The victim stated that a subject armed with a knife had attempted to rape her. She was able to get away and call for help,” writes the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies were able to locate the suspect nearby.

The suspect is being held at the John Benoit Detention Center in Indio, where he remains in custody on $1 million bail. He faces charges of burglary, attempted rape, and attempted murder.

The suspect is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday at the Larson Justice Center in Indio.

Stay with News Channel 3 for any updates.

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John White

Without a doubt, the most incredible mystery in the history of America. Amelia Earhart vanished over the South Pacific over 80 years ago, chasing history as the first woman to fly around the world.

“This is one of the places in the world you don’t want to go.”

Heading deep into the jungles of Papua New Guinea, an expedition supported by the Palm Springs Air Museum searching for the truth, the new technology, and evidence in aviation’s greatest mystery.

“We’re going to solve this.”

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Shay Lawson

MECCA, Calif. (KESQ) – The Coachella Valley Unified School district recently celebrated the grand opening of North Shore Elementary in North Shore.

News Channel 3’s Shay Lawson is getting an inside look at the new campus during a tour.

Elisa Gentry, principal, said the school is 16 acres with 26 classrooms and much more.

“We have some outdoor learning spaces,” Gentry said. “In the outdoor learning spaces, we have some really beautiful vegetation. It’s all edible.”

School officials said the campus has a 500 student capacity.

The total construction costs were over $56 million dollars.

Gentry said the mascot, the Monarch butterfly, was chosen for a reason.

“It’s perfect to represent new beginnings, transformation and the journey that our students are going to lead each year,” Gentry said.

Students will begin their new school year in the new campus on Wednesday.

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Jesus Reyes

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – Palm Springs International Airport is adding new seasonal nonstop flights to Charlotte, North Carolina through American Airlines.

The service launches on Dec. 20 and will run every Saturday through April 18, 2026. Weekly service will operate on American’s Boeing 737-800 aircraft with 172 seats.

PSP officials said the service helps travelers gain access to a powerful hub that connects Palm Springs with dozens of cities across the East Coast, Midwest, and even international destinations.

“This new connection builds on our momentum, adding even more nonstop access between the Coachella Valley and the East Coast,” said Harry Barrett, Jr., Executive Director of Aviation at PSP. “Every new route creates more opportunities for our community, our visitors, and our economy.” 

The announcement comes at a time of record-breaking momentum for PSP. The airport has already logged five record months in 2025 and seen year-over-year passenger growth in every month so far. July alone was up 11% compared to 2024.

Tickets are on sale now at aa.com.

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City News Service

CORONA, Calif. (KESQ) – A Corona man was sentenced today in downtown Los Angeles to a month in federal custody, seven months of home confinement and a $4,000 fine for organizing cockfights in which spectators gambled on roosters expected to fight to the death.

Isidro Chaparro Sanchez, 59, was immediately taken into custody at the conclusion of the hearing, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.   

Sanchez pleaded guilty in March to one federal count of conspiracy to sponsor and exhibit roosters in an animal fighting venture.   

He admitted working with four others to produce the daylong cockfighting events on Sundays at a home in San Bernardino County for about four months last year. The site included a cockfighting ring with seating and bars serving alcoholic drinks and tacos.

Prosecutors say attendees parked — at a cost of $20 — nearly 1 mile away from the venue and were then shuttled to the home, where they paid $40 to enter the arena where the fights took place.

A team registering four roosters would pay an entry fee of $1,000. One of the co-defendants would collect the money, register the team’s roosters for battle, and record the weights of the birds, papers filed in Los Angeles federal court show.  

Attendees, including those who had registered their roosters, would place bets with bookmakers who collected the cash, Sanchez’s plea agreement says.

The blood sport on Duffy Street ended on Aug. 4, 2024, shortly after the arrival of almost 60 people, some carrying roosters. Before the first bout that day, special agents with the FBI armed with a search warrant raided the place.

Items seized included roughly $9,000 in cash, 50 to 100 sharp instruments or “gaffs” — curved metal spurs or blades that are attached to a rooster’s leg prior to a fight — and various types of steroids. In addition, about 200 birds, of which more than 150 were deemed to be fighting roosters by a local animal control agency, were recovered, authorities said.

The four co-defendants, all from the Inland Empire, each pleaded guilty to a federal charge and are awaiting sentencing.   

Cockfighting is a contest in which a person attaches a knife, gaff or other sharp instrument to the leg of a “gamecock” or rooster and then places the bird a few inches away from a similarly armed rooster.

This results in a violent fight during which the roosters flap their wings and jump while stabbing each other with the weapons that are fastened to their legs. A cockfight ends when one rooster is dead or refuses to continue to fight. Usually, one or both roosters die after a fight, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

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Kendall Flynn

PALM SPRINGS, Calif. (KESQ) – The Palm Springs Public library has over 100,000 books, movies, CDs and more. The main public library building is now undergoing a long-awaited redevelopment project, which is moving the library and staff into a smaller space in Rimrock Plaza. 

Staff said it’s been a difficult process, but one they know will have a great outcome for the community.

“Out move has been a little bit of chaos but a lot of fun and excitement,” Julie Warren, the library and public services manager said. “Moving out of any place is a bit of a challenge. We’ve been here for 50 year so we had a lot of stuff to move.”

While it may seem like a simple task of breaking down shelves and packing items into boxes, library staff said its a specialized process. The City of Palm Springs has hired a moving company specializing in library moves because each collection needs to be in order.

“The library itself has over 100,000 items. You have to keep the stuff in order even if it’s going into storage,” Warren said. “When we move it back, we don’t want to have a collection out of order.”

The Rimrock Plaza location is 5,000 square feet, which officials said it nearly one-fifth the size of the main library, causing them to have a capsule collection.

Librarians have been working months in advance to prepare the collections to be distributed between three different locations, including storage, offices and the temporary library.

Because of the move, the library has to condense its collection and put a number of items in storage. While workers say they will be putting together their best collection for visiting locals, they have a quick turn around to build a library within Rimrock Plaza before the library opens August 25. 

Even with the smaller collection, one library assistant who has been working at the public library for 25 years said she hopes it’s still a special place for all locals.

“I’m almost retired so I really want this to be a dream come true to help in the process, doing the most for the community,” Yrene Navarro said.

Stay with News Channel 3 to hear from officials about the process of organizing and setting up the temporary library. 

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Luis Avila

INDIAN WELLS, Calif. (KESQ) – As ceasefire talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President Donald Trump took place Monday, Ukrainian Americans in the Coachella Valley are reacting with a mix of hope, skepticism, and concern.

For many in the local Ukrainian community, the ongoing war is more than just a distant conflict — it’s a personal crisis that continues to cast a long shadow.

“It’s been devastating. First year, no one could believe it was happening. I couldn’t sleep… It’s been 3 years. It’s been a long time. Many people died. Many families have been affected.”

Tatiana Wright, Indian Wells resident

Tatiana Wright is among those cautiously optimistic about the latest ceasefire talks. She believes dialogue — even with Russian President Vladimir Putin — is essential. When asked about whether compromises — including possible land concessions — should be on the table, Wright didn’t rule it out.”

“Yes he met with Putin.. Without conversation, without process of negotiation, he has no resolution. We’re going nowhere. We need to sit at table and start talking regardless of who we have to talk… If it takes some land to be negotiated, whatever it takes.”

Tatiana Wright, Indian Wells resident

But not everyone in the community shares that sentiment.

Nila Onuferko has deep concern over any deal that might involve territorial concessions or suggest moral equivalence between Ukraine and its aggressor. She argues that giving up land would set a dangerous precedent for the future.

“When someone says to Zelensky, ‘It’s in your hands to stop this,’ it really lends the question: really, who’s invading who?… If they give up land, it sets a bad precedent because then it says who are we as a people.”’

Nila Onuferko, Indian Wells resident

While opinions vary, one thing is clear: the desire for peace is shared across the community.

Stay with News Channel 3 for more.

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