14-Year-Old Girl Accused in Newborn’s Death as California Investigation Uncovers Shocking Evidence

Moss Landing, California — Investigators have revealed disturbing new details in the death of a newborn known as “Baby Angelita,” whose body was discovered near an agricultural field in Monterey County on August 1. Authorities allege that the baby’s 14-year-old mother drove a vehicle over the newborn after giving birth beside a road without medical assistance.

The case took another turn after investigators learned that the teenager had allegedly been sexually abused by her own father, 38-year-old Sergio Galvez Perez. The girl was later the subject of an Amber Alert and was eventually located and rescued in Mexico, where authorities also took Perez into custody.

During a press conference Thursday, Monterey County Sheriff’s Detective Richard Geng described the evidence collected during the investigation. Authorities emphasized that no murder charges had been filed against anyone in connection with the newborn’s death at the time of the announcement, and the charges the teenager might face remain undetermined.

How Investigators Say Baby Angelita Died

According to investigators, the newborn was found around 8:30 a.m. on August 1 near an agricultural field along Struve Road in Moss Landing.

Deputies responding to the scene discovered an infant with what appeared to be extensive traumatic injuries. Investigators also documented tire impressions and blood-soaked soil.

The evidence suggested that the newborn had been moved from the location where she was delivered to a spot beneath a vehicle. Detectives alleged that the vehicle subsequently ran over the baby.

Geng said the teenager had given birth on the side of the road without medical attention. Investigators believe she was afraid her mother would “kill” her if she discovered the pregnancy and birth.

According to the detective, the girl allegedly placed the newborn on the ground and drove the vehicle over her, causing the baby’s death.

Investigators believe the teenager’s parents did not know about the alleged killing when it occurred.

Vehicle Evidence and Digital Records Helped Build the Case

Investigators identified a beige Mercury sedan as a potential suspect vehicle after reviewing video footage and witness statements. License plate information led detectives to the registered owners, Ofelia Garcia Ortega, 36, and Perez.

At approximately 2:35 p.m. on August 1, deputies served a search warrant at the family’s home in Salinas. They contacted both parents and found the 14-year-old hiding beneath a pile of clothes in a bedroom closet.

Authorities seized cellphones and the sedan as evidence and interviewed the teenager and her parents. The girl initially told investigators she had been involved in a sexual relationship with an unidentified juvenile male and had subsequently given birth.

Because of her age and physical condition following childbirth, she was taken to a hospital.

At that stage, investigators said they had no indication that Perez was the baby’s biological father or that he had allegedly abused his daughter.

On August 4, authorities learned that Perez had removed the teenager from the hospital before she was discharged.

DNA Results Changed the Direction of the Investigation

The investigation continued through August as detectives executed additional search warrants and examined the seized vehicle.

According to Geng, investigators found blood evidence in the sedan’s front-right wheel well. Tire impressions documented at the scene also indicated that the front-right wheel had passed over the newborn.

Cellphone records and other evidence suggested that the teenager had driven herself and her mother to their workplace in agricultural fields. Investigators learned that the girl had worked in farm fields since age 13 and routinely drove the family’s beige Mercury sedan.

Text messages indicated that the mother did not know what had happened at the scene. The teenager later sent messages to her father describing the incident, Geng said.

Investigators also found internet searches made by the teenager in the hours after the newborn’s death, including “How to turn off your iPhone location.”

On August 19, DNA results indicated that the teenager and Perez were Baby Angelita’s biological parents.

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Authorities said evidence placed Perez in the Bay Area when the newborn died, and investigators had not found evidence that he encouraged or participated in the baby’s death.

Amber Alert and Arrests Followed

Police interviewed Garcia Ortega and other family members on August 20 while attempting to determine the teenager’s whereabouts. Investigators later received tips suggesting the girl and her father might have left the area.

An Amber Alert was issued on September 6, and authorities eventually located and rescued the teenager in Mexico. Perez was also taken into custody.

The investigation into the newborn’s death remains separate from the allegations involving the teenager’s father and mother.

Charges Filed Against the Parents

Perez faces charges including incest, child abuse and child sex crimes. He is also accused of unlawfully marrying his daughter, according to the criminal complaint. Authorities are working to extradite him from Mexico.

Garcia Ortega was arrested in Salinas on Tuesday at approximately 2:45 p.m., according to the sheriff’s office.

She faces two felony counts of displaying or possessing a forged identification card, along with misdemeanor charges of permitting a child to suffer or be endangered and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

Prosecutors alleged that she allowed her daughter to drive without a license and remain out of school for many months. Garcia Ortega remains in custody at Monterey County Jail, with bail set at $150,000.

As investigators continue reviewing the evidence, officials have not announced what charges, if any, the teenager may face in connection with her newborn’s death.

The case raises serious questions about child protection, alleged abuse and the circumstances surrounding Baby Angelita’s death.

What steps do you believe communities should take to help protect vulnerable children and ensure suspected abuse is reported? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments.