Missing CA teen believed to be with father after baby found dead in alleged incest case
The biological father is being charged with incest and child abuse
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. -- California prosecutors spoke out to clarify the case involving a 14-year-old girl who was allegedly sexually abused by her father and is now sought on suspicion of murder in connection with the death of her newborn.
The infant was found along the side of the road near a Moss Landing strawberry field in Monterey County, California.
“There’s some confusion about what the actual facts are, so it was important for the DA’s Office to clarify that, first and foremost, absolutely no charges have been filed against the 14-year-old. They have never been filed,” said Assistant District Attorney Lana Nassoura.
An Amber Alert was issued for the 14-year-old girl and her 38-year-old biological father, Sergio Galvez Perez. They have been missing since August 4.
Charges have been filed against Galvez Perez, for lewd acts upon a child, incest and child abuse. An arrest warrant has also been issued.
An online firestorm erupted Monday after Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said the teenager is both a victim and a murder suspect in connection with the death of her newborn daughter, whom investigators call Baby Angelita.
“Children who are abused by parents in the home, who are sexually abused, molested or assaulted in any way, shape or form, will be and should be treated as victims by law enforcement, by the DA’s Office and by all members of the community, and that’s what we intend to do in this case,” Nassoura said.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office reiterated that investigators have evidence supporting the murder allegation against the girl. Officials said they cannot release that information because doing so could compromise the investigation.
“We take those allegations extremely seriously. We have to make sure that every fact, every detail and every piece of evidence that we’ve collected during our investigation meets the elements of the crimes being alleged,” said sheriff’s office spokesman Andres Rosas.
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Prosecutors have identified the teenager as Jane Doe and have recognized her as a victim of her father’s alleged sexual abuse.
They emphasized that no charging decision has been made against her.
Meanwhile, the girl’s mother, Ofelia Garcia Ortega, was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment. She posted bail, and prosecutors are reviewing potential charges against her. Those charges are not connected to the infant’s death or the alleged sexual abuse of her daughter.
The focus remains on finding the girl and her father. Prosecutors said the teenager may be in danger, frightened or being held against her will.
“Our 100% priority right now is trying to locate the 14-year-old victim in this case. We want to be able to connect her with resources. We have our own victim advocate at the DA’s Office, and we have absolutely wonderful community partners we work with daily to support our victims. We want to make sure that she is supported,” Nassoura said.
Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the girl or her father is asked to call 911 or the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.
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