A California man accused of sexually abusing and impregnating his 14-year-old daughter has been arrested in Mexico, while the teenager was safely rescued by Mexican authorities, officials said Sunday.
Sergio Galvez Perez, 38, had been the subject of a search spanning California and Mexico after investigators connected him to the death of a newborn found along a Monterey County road in August.
Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said Mexican law enforcement located Perez and the teenager during a rescue operation. Diana Galvez Ortega is now in the care of local authorities in Mexico.
Perez is wanted in Monterey County on allegations including incest, lewd or lascivious acts involving a child under 14, lewd acts with a minor, unlawful sexual intercourse, child concealment and child endangerment.
Authorities said Perez was also found in possession of narcotics when he was arrested. Sheriff’s officials said Mexican authorities were aware of the pending charges against him in Monterey County.
Investigation began after newborn was found dead
The case began on Aug. 1, when emergency crews and Monterey County sheriff’s deputies responded to the 100 block of Struve Road in North Monterey County after a report that a newborn had been found beside the roadway.
The baby, later referred to by investigators as “Baby Angelita,” was pronounced dead at the scene. Investigators said the infant showed signs of traumatic injury.
As the investigation progressed, detectives identified Perez and Diana as people connected to the case. Authorities later determined that Perez was the biological father of both Diana and the newborn.
Investigators also said evidence indicated that the teenager had given birth before the newborn was left along the road.
The search for Perez and Diana intensified after surveillance footage and other investigative work helped authorities identify their movements. An Amber Alert was later issued for the teenager as officials tried to locate her and her father.
Teenager identified as a victim of abuse
The case has also raised concerns about how the 14-year-old should be treated as investigators continue examining the newborn’s death.
Although authorities had previously indicated that the teenager was being sought in connection with the infant’s death, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office later clarified that it had not made a charging decision against her.
Prosecutors said the teenager was a victim of her father’s alleged abuse and emphasized the need to protect her and provide appropriate support.
Her safe recovery in Mexico is now a significant development in the investigation.
Mother was previously arrested
The investigation also led to the arrest of 36-year-old Ofelia Garcia Ortega, identified by authorities as the teenager’s mother.
Ortega was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment and later released after posting bail.
Authorities have not indicated that the investigation into the newborn’s death is over. Sheriff’s officials said a press conference would be held at a later date as investigators continue working on the case.
The circumstances surrounding Baby Angelita’s death remain under investigation, while Perez now faces the pending Monterey County charges related to the alleged abuse of his daughter.
