NEWBORN FOUND BESIDE A CALIFORNIA ROAD — THEN INVESTIGATORS UNCOVERED A SHOCKING FAMILY SECRET

A newborn baby found beside a rural California road has led investigators to a disturbing case involving a 14-year-old girl, her father and allegations of sexual abuse within the family.

The infant, referred to by authorities as “Baby Angelita,” was discovered along Struve Road in Monterey County on the morning of August 1.

What investigators uncovered afterward turned a tragic discovery into a far more complicated criminal investigation.

Authorities say the teenager believed to be the baby’s mother had given birth beside the road before leaving the infant there.

The girl, who has not been publicly identified because she is a minor, is now wanted on suspicion of murder.

At the same time, investigators say she is also a victim — allegedly having been sexually abused and impregnated by her own father.

THE BABY FOUND ON A RURAL ROAD

Emergency crews were called to the 100 block of Struve Road at around 8:30 a.m. on August 1, after someone reported finding a newborn beside the roadway.

The baby was found near a rural area and a strawberry field in northern Monterey County.

Firefighters and emergency medical personnel responded, but the infant was pronounced deceased at the scene.

Authorities later gave the newborn the name Baby Angelita while continuing to investigate her identity and the circumstances surrounding her death.

A postmortem examination found signs of traumatic injury.

However, investigators have not publicly disclosed the specific injuries or provided a detailed explanation of what caused the baby’s death.

That left detectives with a critical question:

Who was the baby, and how did she end up alone beside the road?

INVESTIGATORS SAY A TEENAGER GAVE BIRTH THERE

As detectives worked through the evidence, authorities came to believe that a 14-year-old girl was the baby’s mother.

Investigators say the teenager had given birth without medical assistance beside the road.

According to authorities, she then placed the newborn on the ground and left the area.

The circumstances surrounding the baby’s injuries remain under investigation, but the teenager was ultimately issued a warrant on suspicion of murder.

Because she is only 14, authorities have not publicly released her name.

But the investigation soon uncovered something even more disturbing.

THE FATHER WAS ALLEGEDLY THE BABY’S FATHER TOO

Investigators identified Sergio Galvez Perez, 38, as the biological father of both the teenager and the newborn.

Authorities accuse Perez of sexually abusing and impregnating his daughter when she was 13.

He is wanted on multiple charges, including incest, lewd or lascivious acts involving a child, unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, child concealment and child endangerment.

Officials now believe Perez may be concealing his daughter and preventing investigators from locating her.

That has created an extraordinary situation in which the teenager is simultaneously being sought in connection with her baby’s death and described by authorities as a victim of serious abuse.

Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto stressed that distinction during a news conference.

The sheriff said the teenager is also a victim because of the alleged sexual abuse by her father.

POLICE ARE STILL SEARCHING FOR BOTH

Authorities believe Perez may have taken steps to prevent investigators from finding the teenager.

It remains unclear exactly where the pair are or whether the girl is with Perez voluntarily.

Because she is a minor and may herself be in danger, authorities have urged the public not to approach either suspect if they are spotted.

Instead, anyone with information about their whereabouts is being asked to contact law enforcement.

Investigators have also released images of Perez as the search continues.

A LICENSE-PLATE CAMERA HELPED BREAK THE CASE OPEN

One of the key developments came from automated license-plate reader technology.

Investigators were initially looking into a 2010 Mercury Milan connected to people involved in the case.

Flock camera technology helped authorities trace the vehicle and identify connections that moved the investigation forward.

According to investigators, the technology helped them locate and track the vehicle within roughly 53 hours.

The discovery became another important piece of a case that had started with a single heartbreaking scene on a rural roadside.

THE TEENAGER’S MOTHER WAS ALSO ARRESTED

A third person has become part of the investigation.

Ofelia Garcia Ortega, 36, was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment.

Authorities later released her on bail.

Officials have not publicly detailed all of the circumstances surrounding her arrest, but the case has raised broader questions about the environment in which the teenager and other children were living.

Reports indicate that investigators encountered concerns involving other children in the household as they continued examining the case.

TWO CHILDREN AT THE CENTER OF ONE DISTURBING CASE

The case has left investigators confronting two very different but connected tragedies.

One is the newborn baby who was found alone beside a California road.

The other is a 14-year-old girl who authorities believe was subjected to sexual abuse by her own father.

At the same time, that teenager is facing a serious allegation in connection with her newborn’s death.

Authorities have not publicly explained exactly what happened to the infant or disclosed the evidence behind the murder allegation in detail.

That means crucial questions remain unanswered.

What happened during the birth?

What caused the baby’s injuries?

What role, if any, did the teenager play in the infant’s death?

And where is the girl now?

THE SEARCH CONTINUES

For investigators, finding Perez and the teenager is now a priority.

Authorities say the teenager’s safety is also a major concern because of the allegations surrounding her relationship with her father.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office continues to ask anyone who may have information to come forward.

Meanwhile, Baby Angelita’s case remains under active investigation.

The disturbing circumstances have transformed what first appeared to be the discovery of an abandoned newborn into a complex case involving alleged family abuse, a missing teenager and a father facing multiple serious charges.

For now, investigators are still searching for answers — and for the 14-year-old girl at the center of a case in which authorities say she may be both an alleged suspect and a victim.

The allegations described above have not been proven in court. The teenager has not been publicly identified because she is a minor.