Authorities in Southern California say a 7-month-old boy reported kidnapped last week is now believed dead, and his parents have been arrested in a murder investigation.

“Based on the evidence, investigators determined a kidnapping in Yucaipa did not occur,” the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department said Friday. “The search to recover his remains is ongoing.”

The boy’s mother, 41-year-old Rebecca Haro, told police on August 15 that she had been attacked outside a Yucaipa store while changing her son Emmanuel’s diaper. She claimed she was knocked unconscious and awoke to find her baby gone.

But detectives said inconsistencies quickly emerged in her account. When confronted, Rebecca Haro stopped cooperating with investigators, according to the sheriff’s department.

On Friday, deputies arrested both Rebecca and her husband, 32-year-old Jake Haro, at their home in Cabazon, a desert community about 20 miles from Palm Springs. They were booked into Riverside County jail and are being held without bail.

Jake Haro had earlier pleaded publicly for his son’s return. “Whoever took my son, please return him, we just want him back,” he told KTLA last week.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department confirmed investigators also searched the family’s home. Jake Haro later retained a lawyer.

Riverside County prosecutors said they are reviewing the case. It was not immediately known if Rebecca Haro has legal representation.

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With inputs from Associated Press