The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has confirmed that Sergio Galves Perez, 38, is the biological father of both his 14-year-old daughter and her newborn son, who was found dead along a remote road. Authorities believe Perez is on the run with his daughter, who is also a suspect in the baby's death.
Newborn Found Dead Near Moss Landing
The newborn, named Angelito by investigators, was discovered dead on the side of a road near Moss Landing on August 1. The baby had his umbilical cord still attached and showed signs of trauma, according to the sheriff's office. The 14-year-old girl has been accused of murdering her baby, although authorities have not disclosed how they determined her alleged involvement.
Perez allegedly impregnated his daughter when she was just 13 years old. He is now wanted for incest and lewd acts on a minor. The sheriff's office confirmed the biological relationship in a statement.
Sheriff Warns Teen May Be in Danger
Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said, "We can now confirm that Sergio Galves Perez is the biological father of the 14-year-old murder suspect and the biological father of baby Angelito." Authorities have appealed to the public for help locating the pair, warning that the teen may herself be in danger.
"I believe the 14-year-old might be in danger. That's my gut feeling as a sheriff," Nieto said. "She's 14, for God's sake. She's 14. She's a victim, too, even though she's a suspect." Nieto emphasized that investigators want to get the girl to safety and hear her account of what happened.
Flock Cameras Key to Investigation
Investigators caught a major break when Flock cameras identified a vehicle connected to the case. The vehicle, registered to Perez and his wife, Ofelia Garcia Ortega, was later located. Ortega has since been arrested and charged with child endangerment.
Monterey County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Eric Bixler credited the camera information with helping crack the case. "I can say without that information we received from that camera, we may have never solved that case," Bixler said. "So that was very instrumental in solving this case, especially the speed in which it was done. Without it, it may have taken years or never."
Perez remains wanted for incest and lewd acts on a minor as authorities continue their search. Nieto added, "We just need the public's help to locate the 14-year-old so we can get her to safety and then listen to her side of the story. And we need to locate Mr. Perez, because in my opinion, he's a serious felon offender, a parent who betrayed everything, every piece of trust that a child puts in their parent."
