US2 min(s) read
Authorities in California are searching for a 14-year-old girl who is wanted on suspicion of murdering her newborn daughter after allegedly giving birth beside a road and leaving the baby behind.
Investigators in Monterey County are also looking for the teenager’s father, 38-year-old Sergio Galvez Perez, who is accused of impregnating his daughter and then concealing her from authorities.
Galvez Perez is wanted on several charges, including incest, lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, and child concealment.
The disturbing case began on August 1, when emergency services were called to the 100 block of Struve Road following reports that a newborn baby had been found at the side of the road.
Fire personnel who arrived at the scene confirmed that the baby was dead. Investigators have since referred to the newborn as "Baby Angelita."
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the infant's death.
According to detectives, they subsequently determined that a 14-year-old girl had given birth to Baby Angelita on the roadside before placing the newborn on the ground and leaving the area.
A forensic examination of the baby's body reportedly found evidence of traumatic injuries, leading investigators to treat the death as a homicide.
Detectives then turned to technology to help establish who had been at the scene.
License plate-reading cameras operated by Flock were used to identify and track a vehicle investigators considered to be of interest in connection with the case.
The sheriff's office said the information gathered from the cameras allowed detectives to identify people connected to the vehicle within just 53 hours.
The investigation also resulted in the arrest of 36-year-old Ofelia Garcia Ortega, who was taken into custody on suspicion of child endangerment.
According to authorities, Ortega was booked into jail before posting bail and subsequently being released.
Attention has now turned to locating the teenage mother, who investigators want to question in connection with the death and are seeking on suspicion of murder.
Her father, Galvez Perez, is also being sought by detectives over the allegations against him.
Authorities have warned members of the public not to approach Galvez Perez if they see him.
Instead, anyone who believes they have spotted him is being urged to call 911.
The sheriff's office is asking anyone who may have information about the case, including details about the whereabouts of the 14-year-old girl or Galvez Perez, to come forward.
Authorities say members of the public can provide information anonymously.
