MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. — Authorities are searching for a 38-year-old California man and his 14-year-old daughter as investigators piece together the circumstances surrounding the death of a newborn found along a roadside in northern Monterey County.
Sergio Galvez Perez is wanted on multiple felony allegations, while an arrest warrant has been issued for the teenage girl on suspicion of murder, authorities announced Monday.
The investigation began on Aug. 1, when emergency crews and sheriff’s deputies were called to the 100 block of Struve Road, near Highway 1 north of Moss Landing, at about 8:30 a.m. A newborn girl had been found alongside the roadway.
Fire personnel confirmed that the baby was dead at the scene.
Investigators have since named the child “Baby Angelita,” meaning “Baby Angel” in Spanish.
Investigators say teen gave birth along roadside
Detectives believe the 14-year-old gave birth to Baby Angelita along the side of the road before placing the newborn on the ground and leaving the area.
A post-mortem forensic examination later found signs of traumatic injury on the infant, according to authorities. Officials have not publicly detailed the nature of those injuries.
As the investigation developed, authorities identified Perez as a suspect and obtained an arrest warrant accusing him of incest, lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, lewd acts with a minor, unlawful sexual intercourse, child concealment and child endangerment.
Sheriff Tina Nieto said investigators have confirmed that Perez is the biological father of the 14-year-old girl and also the biological father of Baby Angelita.
The teenager’s identity has not been publicly released because she is a minor.
She is wanted on suspicion of murder in connection with the newborn’s death.
Authorities believe Perez is hiding the girl
Investigators say Perez is currently concealing his daughter and preventing law enforcement from locating her.
Authorities have released additional photographs of Perez as part of the search. Investigators said he has been associated with a musical group and hope people who may recognize him from public appearances will come forward.
Anyone who spots Perez has been warned not to approach or confront him. Authorities are asking people who see him to call 911 immediately.
License plate readers helped investigators develop leads
Authorities have also disclosed new information about how detectives identified people connected to the case.
With little information available immediately after the newborn was discovered, investigators turned to automated license plate reader cameras to search for potential leads.
The technology helped detectives identify and track a vehicle of interest associated with the investigation. Investigators then combined information from the camera system with traditional police work to identify people connected to the vehicle.
Authorities said detectives were able to develop additional leads and identify individuals connected to the investigation within 53 hours of the newborn being found.
Teen’s mother arrested on child endangerment allegation
A third person has also been arrested in connection with the investigation.
Ofelia Garcia Ortega, 36, of the Castroville and Salinas area, was taken into custody on suspicion of child endangerment. Authorities identified Ortega as the biological mother of the 14-year-old girl.
She was booked into the Monterey County Jail and later released after posting bail.
No announcement has been made indicating that Perez or the teenage girl has been taken into custody, and the investigation remains active.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case or the whereabouts of Perez and the 14-year-old girl to contact Detective Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy at 831-755-3773 or Detective Richard Geng at 831-759-7279. Tips may be provided anonymously.
