NEWBORN FOUND BY ROADSIDE — 14-YEAR-OLD MOTHER WANTED IN BABY’S DEATH AS POLICE SEARCH FOR HER FATHER

A disturbing California case has taken an even more troubling turn after a newborn baby was found along a rural roadside — and investigators say the teenager believed to be the baby’s mother is now wanted in connection with the infant’s death.

But there is another devastating layer to the case.

Authorities say the 14-year-old girl is also a victim of alleged sexual abuse by her own father, 38-year-old Sergio Galvez Perez, who investigators believe fathered both the teenager and her newborn.

Now police are searching for both of them.

The newborn, whom authorities have named “Baby Angelita,” was discovered along Struve Road in northern Monterey County on Aug. 1.

Investigators say the infant had suffered traumatic injuries.

The teenager is wanted on suspicion of murder, while Perez faces a series of serious charges involving his daughter and the alleged concealment of the child.

THE DISCOVERY THAT STARTED THE INVESTIGATION

It was around 8:30 a.m. on Aug. 1 when authorities received a report about a baby alongside the roadway.

Deputies arrived at the rural location and found the newborn unresponsive.

Investigators later determined that the girl, who was 14 at the time, had given birth near the roadside before the infant was allegedly left on the ground.

A postmortem examination found signs of traumatic injury, according to authorities.

The circumstances surrounding those injuries have not been fully disclosed publicly.

Police have not released a detailed explanation of how they believe the infant sustained the injuries or what evidence specifically led them to seek a murder warrant for the teenager.

THEN INVESTIGATORS IDENTIFIED THE BABY’S FATHER

As detectives dug deeper into the case, investigators identified Perez as the biological father of both the 14-year-old girl and Baby Angelita.

Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto confirmed the extraordinary relationship at a news conference.

Authorities allege that Perez sexually abused his daughter and impregnated her when she was only 13.

He is now wanted on multiple charges, including incest, lewd or lascivious acts involving a child under 14, lewd acts involving a minor, unlawful sexual intercourse, child concealment and child endangerment.

The sheriff has described the teenager as a victim of her father’s alleged abuse even while authorities seek her in connection with the newborn’s death.

That dual status has become one of the most difficult aspects of the investigation.

“She’s also a victim because of the sexual abuse by her own father,” Sheriff Nieto said.

POLICE SAY THE FATHER MAY BE HIDING HER

Authorities believe Perez is actively concealing the teenager and preventing investigators from locating her.

That has prompted an urgent search for both father and daughter.

Investigators are concerned about the girl’s safety and have asked members of the public not to approach either person if they are spotted.

Instead, authorities are urging anyone who sees them to contact law enforcement.

It remains unclear whether the teenager is staying with Perez voluntarily or whether she is being controlled by him.

Because she is a juvenile, authorities have not publicly identified her.

A CAMERA SYSTEM HELPED CRACK THE CASE

Investigators eventually identified a vehicle believed to be connected to the case using automated license-plate reader technology.

According to authorities, Flock cameras helped detectives trace a vehicle of interest associated with the investigation.

The technology reportedly allowed investigators to identify the vehicle within roughly 53 hours.

That breakthrough helped investigators connect the vehicle to Perez and move the case forward.

Authorities have not released every detail of the evidence gathered from the vehicle.

But investigators now believe the vehicle played an important role in establishing the movements of people connected to the case.

ANOTHER ADULT HAS ALSO BEEN ARRESTED

Perez is not the only adult facing legal consequences.

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

Authorities have not publicly explained her precise relationship to Perez and the teenager in detail, although other reporting identifies her as connected to the family.

She was subsequently released on bail.

Investigators have continued to focus on locating Perez and the teenager as they work to determine exactly what happened before and after Baby Angelita was found.

THE QUESTIONS THAT REMAIN

The case raises a series of unanswered questions.

Why did the teenager give birth beside a rural road?

What happened to the newborn immediately afterward?

What caused the traumatic injuries?

And, most importantly, what role did the teenager allegedly play in the baby’s death?

Authorities have released only limited details about those questions.

At the same time, investigators are trying to locate a 14-year-old who they say is both a suspect and a victim.

That distinction is crucial.

The murder allegation against the teenager remains an accusation, and she has not been convicted.

Meanwhile, Perez remains wanted on multiple charges stemming from the alleged abuse of his daughter.

“AT THE CENTER OF THIS IS TWO CHILDREN”

Sheriff Nieto has emphasized the heartbreaking reality at the center of the investigation.

There are two children involved — a newborn who lost her life and a 14-year-old whom authorities say was herself subjected to serious abuse.

That has made the case far more complicated than a conventional homicide investigation.

As the search continues, authorities are asking anyone with information about Perez or the teenager to contact the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office.

For investigators, finding the teenager is now about more than simply locating a murder suspect.

They also want to make sure a vulnerable child — whom authorities believe may be in danger — is finally found.

And until she is located, some of the most important questions surrounding Baby Angelita’s final hours remain unanswered.