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Amber Alert issued as cops hunt for 14-year-old after newborn found dead in suspected incest case
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An Amber Alert has been issued for a 14-year-old girl who is believed to have birthed a baby and left it to die, along with her father who is accused of incest.
As previously reported, authorities in California are searching for a 14-year-old girl - now named as Diana Galvez Ortega - who allegedly gave birth beside a road, with the deceased newborn being found by the roadside.
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.
Authoritie had been called to the 100 block of Struve Road following reports that a newborn baby had been found at the side of the road on August 1, with the infant - whom investigators had named 'Baby Angelita' - being confirmed dead.
The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the infant's death, with a forensic investigation reportedly finding evidence of traumatic injuries on the baby's body, leading investigators to treat the death as a homicide.
Flock camera were used to identify and track a vehicle investigators considered to be of interest in connection with the case, with those connected to the vehicle being identified within 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.
An Amber Alert has now been issued for Galvez Ortega and her father, and authorities have urged the public to be aware that the teen is a victim in the case.
The pair are believed to be traveling in a white Nissan Altima without license plates, with police urging the public to contact law enforcement immediately if they are spotted.
Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said the pair were last seen in the Salinas area on August 4.
While the young girl was first wanted on suspicion of murder, the authorities later issued an update stating that they had not made "any charging decision" in relation to the 14-year-old, with the Monterey County district attorney’s office confirming it had "not received a filing request for criminal charges against the 14-year-old."
The Districy Attorney said in the news release: "We recognize that the 14-year-old is a victim of her father’s abuse. No child should ever have to endure such horrific circumstances.
"Our priority is to ensure that this young girl is safe and has access to the support and services she needs."
Diana Galvez Ortega is described as having black hair and brown eyes, 4'10" tall, and weighing around 100 pounds.
Her father, Sergio Galvez Perez, is 5'05" tall with black hair and brown eyes, and is 170 pounds. It is not known what clothing they are likely to be wearing or if the pair are traveling together.
If anyone has any information about the people connected to this case, police have urged them to contact the Monterey County Sheriff’s Det. Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy at (831) 755-3773 or Det. Richard Geng at (831) 759-7279.