Officials in Monterey County are speaking out in response to the Sheriff’s Office’s characterization of a teenage girl who was allegedly impregnated by her own father before giving birth and allegedly abandoning the baby on the side of a road in Moss Landing one month ago. The teen and her father have not been found.
“People are angry because something feels fundamentally wrong here,” said Supervisor Wendy Root Askew in a statement Thursday. “A child who becomes pregnant due to sexual abuse by an adult, who gives birth without medical care, and who is being concealed by the man suspected of sexually abusing her is a victim.”
Earlier this week, Sheriff Tina Nieto announced that arrest warrants were made for a case involving a 14-year-old girl, her 38-year-old father Sergio Galvez Perez, and her 36-year-old mother Ofelia Garcia Ortega.
The Sheriff’s Office believes that Galvez Perez committed incest against his teen daughter and that she abandoned an infant who was fathered by him shortly after giving birth. Authorities have named the deceased infant “Baby Angelita.”
Garcia Ortega was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment before posting bail, but authorities have been unable to locate the whereabouts of the teen and her father.
“Really at the center of this is two children — Baby Angelita, who lost her life, and a 14-year-old child who is now the subject of serious allegations of involving the death of the baby, who is also a victim because of the sexual abuse by her own father,” Nieto said in a statement.
Nieto said that the Sheriff’s Office had probable cause to arrest the 14-year-old girl on suspicion of murder, as well as probable cause to arrest Galvez Perez on suspicion of incest, lewd acts with a child under 14, unlawful sexual intercourse, child concealment, and child endangerment. The name of the teen girl has not been released because she is a minor.
Backlash over teen’s ‘murder suspect’ label
The announcement sparked criticism from the public, with many taking issue with the characterization of the 14-year-old as a murder suspect while also acknowledging that she is a victim.
“The public outrage I have heard over this press release is not only understandable; it is appropriate,” Askew said.
Askew said she has raised concerns with county officials that the Sheriff’s Office’s characterization of the 14-year-old as a murder suspect could deter her from coming forward, urging that “extreme care” should be taken in communications regarding the case.
“Children who are sexually abused should not have to wonder whether the adults and institutions they turn to will protect them,” Askew said. “Our message to all victims must be consistent and unambiguous: You deserve to be safe. You can ask for help. We will help you.”
As of Thursday morning, the Sheriff’s Office is unsure where the teen girl and her father may be located and can’t confirm if they are together or not.
“We do not have a confirmed possible location for them, so they could still be anywhere,” said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Cmdr. Andy Rosas in an interview. “There is a possibility that Mr. Galvez Perez is by himself. We can’t confirm.”
The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office also shared a statement in response to the announcement of arrest warrants, clarifying that the office has not yet charged the 14-year-old. Law enforcement got the arrest warrants from a judge, not the District Attorney’s Office.
“The District Attorney’s Office has not received a filing request for criminal charges against the 14-year-old Jane Doe, nor has our office received any investigative reports from law enforcement,” the office said. “As a result, our office has not made any charging decision regarding the 14-year-old Jane Doe.”
Prosecutors have filed charges against Galvez Perez “for the heinous crime of sexually assaulting his own child.”
The District Attorney’s Office also said it will help the teen girl get access to victim support services if she is found.
“Our priority is to ensure that this young girl is safe and has access to the support and services she needs,” prosecutors said in a statement. “If she is located, our District Attorney victim advocates and partner agencies are ready to assist her, connect her with resources, and help ensure that she has the support she needs.”
Public’s help sought as search yields no leads
An Amber Alert for the teen girl has not been issued by law enforcement because the case doesn’t fully meet specific criteria that is required for one, Rosas said.
For an Amber Alert to be issued by the California Highway Patrol, law enforcement must confirm that an abduction of a minor has occurred, there is information available that could assist with finding the victim, and that there is reason to believe that the minor is in imminent danger of serious injury or death.
“We just don’t have sufficient information to request an Amber Alert,” Rosas said. “We can’t confirm that she’s willingly or unwillingly with her dad. We know that they’re both on the run. We suspect that they’re together, but we cannot confirm that.”
Law enforcement also does not have information on a vehicle that the teen and Galvez Perez could be using. Investigators were initially able to connect the suspects through a beige 2010 Mercury Milan via automated license plate readers, but that vehicle has since been recovered.
“There’s no updates at this point,” Rosas said. “We’re receiving calls and tips from everywhere … We don’t have a specific location that we’re focusing on at this point. Those tips haven’t come in yet.”
The Sheriff’s Office is urging members of the public to look at the photos released of Galvez Perez, including some pictures of him when he was performing in a musical group.
The public should call 911 if they see Galvez Perez or his 14-year-old daughter. A description of the teen has not been released.
Information on their whereabouts can also be shared to Detective Richard Geng at 831-759-7279 or Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy at 831-755-3773. Those who share information may remain anonymous.
Rosas asked the public to remain patient and said that in the future, more information may be revealed that explains the arrest warrants.
“We know that this is a very emotional case,” he said. “But in time, as the judicial process takes its course, the facts of this case will come out, and people will have a better understanding of why certain things are happening right now.”
