Sheriff Issues Warrants and Releases Photos in Monterey County Infant Death Investigation

Key Takeaways

• Monterey County Sheriff's Office has issued arrest warrants for three suspects linked to the death of a newborn found on Struve Road.
• One adult suspect, Ofelia Garcia Ortega, was arrested and released on bail, while another, Sergio Galvez Perez, remains at large.
• A 14-year-old female suspect is also wanted on murder charges, with authorities believing she is being hidden by Perez.
• Investigators have released additional photographs of Perez to aid in his capture and are urging the public to call 911 if spotted.

Introduction

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office has intensified its investigation into the tragic death of a newborn girl discovered near an agricultural field along Struve Road on August 1. Officials announced Monday that they have formally named three suspects in connection with the case, which involves severe criminal allegations including murder, child endangerment, and concealing a minor.

Details of the Investigation

Fire personnel, emergency medical services, and Monterey County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 100 block of Struve Road after receiving reports of an infant alongside the roadway. Upon arrival, fire personnel confirmed the infant was deceased. A post-mortem forensic examination conducted on the infant indicated she had signs of a traumatic injury. Detectives developed evidence indicating the teen gave birth to the baby along the side of the road and placed her on the ground before leaving the area.

Authorities have identified three individuals of interest:

• Ofelia Garcia Ortega, 36, of Castroville/Salinas, was taken into custody on suspicion of child endangerment. She was booked into Monterey County Jail and later released after posting bail.
• Sergio Galvez Perez, 38, is currently a fugitive. He faces numerous felony charges, including incest, lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, lewd acts with a minor, unlawful sexual intercourse, child concealment, and child endangerment. Investigators have established that Perez is the father of the 14-year-old suspect and is accused of raping and impregnating his daughter while concealing her from authorities.
• An unnamed 14-year-old girl is wanted on suspicion of murder. Detectives believe Perez is actively hiding her to prevent law enforcement from locating her.

Following the sheriff’s announcement, Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni clarified that her office has not yet made a charging decision regarding the 14-year-old girl. The murder warrant issued by a judge is classified as a Ramey warrant, which law enforcement can obtain directly based on probable cause without prior prosecutor review. Additionally, the District Attorney has formally filed a child molestation charge against Sergio Galvez Perez for sexually assaulting his own child. This charge is classified as a serious and violent felony under California law, constituting a strike under the state’s Three Strikes law and requiring mandatory sex offender registration upon conviction. Criminal defense attorney Esaú Herrera explained that California law strictly prohibits sexual relations between a biological father and daughter, classifying it as a felony punishable by a minimum of three months up to life in prison. He emphasized that such acts remain illegal regardless of consent and that cultural beliefs or practices cannot serve as a legal defense. Prosecutors are requesting an arrest warrant and have explicitly asked Perez to turn himself in to face the charges. Officials emphasized that while the teenager is initially treated as a suspect in the infant’s death, she is ultimately considered a victim of her father’s abuse who requires safety and support services. Addressing potential public reaction, Herrera observed that community sentiment often complicates cases involving juvenile victims, stressing that prosecutorial focus must remain squarely on holding the father accountable rather than pursuing charges against the teenager. “We recognize the 14-year-old is a victim of her father’s abuse,” the district attorney’s office stated. “No child should ever have to endure such horrific circumstances.”

Regarding Ofelia Garcia Ortega, who was taken into custody and later released on bail, Herrera noted that while failing to report a crime is not inherently illegal, any evidence suggesting she actively assisted in the offenses could result in additional legal consequences.

To expedite the investigation, detectives deployed Flock license plate-reading cameras to monitor a vehicle of interest. Within 53 hours, the data gathered from these cameras enabled investigators to identify the individuals linked to the vehicle, which directly facilitated the arrest of Ortega.

Community Alert and Additional Photos

To assist in locating the remaining suspects, Sheriff Tina Nieto's office has released three additional photographs of Sergio Galvez Perez. Investigators noted that Perez may be recognizable to the community due to his involvement in a local musical group and previous public appearances.

"Child Endangerment Detectives have determined that Sergio Galvez Perez is currently concealing the 14-year-old juvenile and preventing law enforcement from locating her," officials stated in their news release.

Law enforcement strongly advises residents not to approach Perez or the minor under any circumstances. Instead, anyone with information regarding their whereabouts should contact Detective Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy at (831) 755-3773 or Detective Richard Geng at (831) 759-7279. Tips can also be submitted anonymously.

In conjunction with the manhunt, authorities have issued an Amber Alert targeting a white Nissan Altima without license plates believed to be connected to the suspects. Investigators believe Perez and the minor could still be within California or may have crossed into Mexico. Social media footage circulating online appears to show Perez performing alongside the teenager, though officials have not independently verified her identity in the clips. Meanwhile, the District Attorney’s office is reviewing potential charges against Ofelia Garcia Ortega, stressing that any future filings would be unrelated to the infant’s death or Perez’s alleged sexual offenses. Law enforcement continues to urge the public not to approach the fugitives and to call 911 immediately upon sighting them. For individuals affected by domestic violence or seeking crisis support, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is available at 800-799-7233.

Local California Context

This high-profile case has drawn significant attention across Monterey County, particularly in rural areas where such violent crimes are uncommon. The sheriff's office continues to work closely with local task forces to ensure public safety while pursuing the active warrants. Community members are encouraged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity immediately.

Background

Monterey County law enforcement frequently collaborates with state agencies on complex criminal investigations involving vulnerable victims. Past cases in the region have highlighted the challenges of tracking fugitives who utilize remote rural landscapes to evade capture. This ongoing investigation underscores the critical need for public cooperation in solving severe felonies.

Conclusion

As the search for Sergio Galvez Perez and the missing teenager continues, the Monterey County Sheriff's Office maintains that resolving this case is a top priority. Residents are urged to review the released photographs and share them within their networks. Any tip, no matter how small, could be instrumental in bringing those responsible to justice and securing the safe return of the minor.