California Searches for Teen, Father in Newborn's Death

Authorities in Monterey County, California, are searching for a 14-year-old girl accused of killing a newborn last month who was conceived after her father sexually abused her, law enforcement officials said.

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said it is also searching for the teen's father, Sergio Galvez Perez, 38, who investigators believe is concealing his daughter. Sheriff Tina Nieto referred to the infant as "Baby Angelita" during a briefing Tuesday.

Nieto described the teenager as a victim of her father's abuse. A warrant has been issued accusing her of murder. A separate warrant was issued for Galvez Perez on charges including incest, unlawful sexual intercourse and lewd or lascivious acts with a minor.

The teen's mother, Ofelia Garcia Ortega, was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment and later released on bail, according to the sheriff's office. She could not be reached for comment, and it was not immediately clear whether she has retained a lawyer.

The baby's body was found on a road about 20 miles north of Monterey on the morning of August 1. Investigators believe the 14-year-old gave birth there and left the infant. A postmortem examination found signs of traumatic injury, the sheriff's office said.

Investigators said the Flock automated license plate reader system, which has drawn scrutiny nationwide over privacy concerns, was crucial in identifying a vehicle connected to the case.

During the briefing, Nieto addressed Galvez Perez directly and urged him to surrender. "You need to turn yourself in to the Monterey County detectives or to a police officer, because really at the center of this is two children," she said. "Baby Angelita who lost her life, and a 14-year-old child who is now the subject of serious allegations involving the death of the baby."

Anyone who has been sexually assaulted can call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673, run by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.