An Amber Alert was issued across Central and Southern California on Sunday for a teenage girl who was last seen in Monterey County more than a month ago.
The alert was issued by the California Highway Patrol amid an ongoing infant death investigation by the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office involving the missing teen, who is believed to be the mother of the deceased child. Her biological father, and alleged kidnapping suspect, is also believed to be the father of the dead baby.
Diana Galvez Ortega, 14, and 38-year-old Sergio Galvez Perez were spotted near Constitution Boulevard and East Laurel Drive in Salinas around 2 a.m. on Aug. 4, according to the CHP.
Authorities confirmed the search is connected to the death of “Baby Angelita,” a newborn girl who was found along Struve Road on Aug. 1. The infant had signs of traumatic injury, according to a postmortem forensic exam.
The reason why the alert was issued Sunday was due to new information about the suspect’s vehicle, obtained from surveillance video that showed Diana and Sergio Galvez Perez in a white Nissan Altima with no plates. The video also confirmed that the two were together, the sheriff’s office said.
Descriptions of Diana and Sergio Galvez Perez are provided in the CHP’s social media post below.
The MCSO previously said Sergio Galvez Perez is wanted for various charges, including child endangerment and child sex crimes involving his daughter, and that the office had probable cause to arrest Diana for murder.
“These allegations are extremely serious and are an important part of why locating Diana and ensuring her safety and well-being remain a priority,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release Sunday.
In September, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office said criminal charges were filed against Sergio Galvez Perez on suspicion of sexually assaulting the 14-year-old. The DA’s office said it has “not received a filing request for criminal charges” against the minor.
It further said that it “recognizes the 14-year-old is a victim of her father’s abuse.” For that reason, if the teen is found, the DA’s Office said its District Attorney victim advocates and partner agencies will be ready to assist her, connect her with resources and ensure she receives the help she needs.
The alert went out to those in Monterey, San Luis Obispo, San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Orange and Imperial counties.
If you see either Diana, Sergio Galvez Perez or the possible suspect vehicle, you are asked to call 911.
