Authorities in California are actively searching for 14-year-old Diana Galvez Ortega, who is suspected of being in the company of her father, Sergio Galvez Perez. The police believe Perez is hiding his daughter while facing serious allegations of incest. This investigation has gained urgency following the tragic death of a newborn, believed to be Diana’s, discovered with severe traumatic injuries alongside Struve Road in north Monterey County on August 1.
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The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office issued an Amber Alert for Diana on Sunday, September 6, highlighting the dire nature of the case and the urgency to locate the teenager. The search began over a month after the newborn, named “Baby Angelita” by law enforcement, was found abandoned. The sheriff’s office indicated that Diana reportedly gave birth to the child in the roadside location.
Compounding the situation, authorities suspect that Perez may also be the biological father of the infant, raising alarming implications regarding the family’s circumstances. Law enforcement reports that Perez, 38, is evading police capture while facing accusations of sexually assaulting his daughter. Surveillance footage shows them earlier in the Salinas area travelling in a white Nissan Altima, which had no visible registration plates. Police have since located this vehicle, yet Diana and her father remain unaccounted for.
While the sheriff’s department initially obtained a murder warrant for Diana concerning her newborn’s death, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office has since distanced itself from this action. District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni clarified that her office never approved the murder charge. Rather, Pacioni maintains that Diana is likely a victim in this case, potentially embroiled in a complex web of familial abuse.
The original warrant was a Ramey warrant, a type of pre-emptive legal document issued at law enforcement’s request before DA approval. Pacioni explained that such warrants can mislead the public into thinking the DA has already vetted the charges, which is not the case.
In addition to seeking Perez, law enforcement has arrested 36-year-old Ofelia Garcia Ortega on child endangerment charges, although her precise involvement with Diana and the deceased infant has not been clarified. Meanwhile, the charges against Perez are severe and include incest, lewd acts with a minor, unlawful sexual intercourse, child concealment, and further endangerment allegations.
The urgency of safely locating Diana remains a priority for both the DA’s office and the sheriff’s department. Pacioni has stressed that the responsibility for ensuring Diana’s safety does not lie with the young girl herself. Highlighting the need for immediate action, she stated, “Our priority is to ensure that this young girl is safe and has access to the support and services she needs.”
Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of Diana Galvez Ortega or Sergio Galvez Perez is urged to contact local law enforcement by dialling 911. In light of the sensitive nature surrounding this case, individuals who may have experienced sexual abuse have access to resources for support, including the Crisis Text Line, which can be reached by texting “STRENGTH” to 741-741.
Furthermore, concerns about child abuse can be reported to the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, where confidential support is available 24/7 in over 170 languages. The urgency surrounding Diana’s safety highlights the critical need for public assistance in locating her swiftly and ensuring she receives necessary support and protection.