Representative Image of a roadside in north Monterey County
The infant, named Baby Angelita, by local police was allegedly found along Struve Road in north Monterey, California Unsplash - Polina Kuzovkova

Sergio Galvez Perez, 38, has been accused of incest and concealing his 14-year-old daughter after a newborn believed to be the young teen's baby was found dead on the 100 block of Struve Road in northern Monterey County, California.

Investigators alleged that the 14-year-old had given birth to the infant beside the road before placing the baby on the ground and leaving the area. The baby, identified by authorities as "Baby Angelita", was discovered at around 8:30 AM on 1 August.

The 14-year-old is also wanted on a murder charge in connection with the infant's death. Authorities have not publicly identified the girl, who is 14, and are continuing efforts to locate her, amid allegations that Perez is helping to conceal her from police.

Newborn Found Dead by Roadside

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office said that deputies were called to Struve Road after the newborn was found lying by the roadside. According to investigators, the baby had suffered traumatic injuries.

Investigators later developed evidence indicating that a juvenile female had given birth to Baby Angelita beside the road before placing her on the ground and leaving the area.

The circumstances surrounding the infant's death remain under investigation, and authorities have not publicly detailed the precise nature of the injuries or explained what they believe happened between the birth and the baby being left by the roadside.

The 14-year-old is believed to be the newborn's mother and has been accused of murder in connection with the infant's death, but her identity has not been revealed publicly since she's under the age of 18.

Investigators used Flock cameras to identify what the sheriff's office described as a 'vehicle of interest' associated with the murder investigation.

Authorities are now working to locate the teenager. Police believe Perez is 'concealing' the teenager and 'preventing law enforcement from locating her', according to the Monterey County Sheriff's Office.

Perez Faces Multiple Charges, Including Incest

@chriscerney

An infant was found deceased Saturday, August 1, on Struve Road in North Monterey County. I went to the scene, where a member of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office identified the approximate area where the infant was found earlier that morning. The road had reopened to the public, but the investigation appeared to remain active. I was able to document the area up close. Any potentially graphic details have been completely blurred out of respect for the infant and everyone involved. According to the Sheriff’s Office, Fire/EMS crews and deputies responded just after 8:30 a.m. to the 100 block of Struve Road after receiving a report that an infant had been located. Fire personnel confirmed the infant was deceased. At approximately 9:55 a.m., deputies were called to a separate location in the 400 block of Old Stage Road in Salinas after a county employee discovered what appeared to be human remains. Authorities have not said whether the two incidents are connected. Both investigations remain active, and no further information has been released. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office at 831-755-3700. MontereyCounty NorthMontereyCounty Salinas BreakingNews

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Perez is wanted on several sexual-offence charges involving a minor, including incest, lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, lewd acts with a minor and unlawful sexual intercourse. The allegations have not been proven in court.

The vehicle identified through the licence-plate-reading cameras reportedly provided investigators with additional leads as they worked to piece together the events surrounding the newborn's death and identify people connected to the murder investigation.

Authorities have since released limited information about the sexual-offence charges while further investigation ensues.

Woman Arrested Over Child Endangerment

During the investigation, detectives developed probable cause to arrest Ofelia Garcia Ortega, 36, on suspicion of child endangerment. Authorities have not publicly disclosed the full circumstances surrounding the allegation against her or detailed how investigators believe she may have been involved.

Perez and the 14-year-old remain the subjects of arrest warrants, according to the sheriff's office. Authorities are urging anyone who may have information about the whereabouts of Perez or the teenager to come forward.

The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the newborn's death and locate the teenager. For now, a disturbing series of unanswered questions are left in the air, from the circumstances surrounding the newborn's death to the whereabouts of the 14-year-old girl at the centre of the investigation.

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