TRUE CRIME NEWSSheriff Says 14-Year-Old Murder Suspect and Father Who Allegedly Got Her Pregnant Are on the Run
A California manhunt seeks a father who allegedly impregnated his 14-year-old daughter, both on the run after baby was found dead.
Sept. 2 2026, Published 12:06 p.m. ET
The Monterey County, Calif., Sheriff's Office is conducting an active manhunt for 38-year-old Sergio Galvez Perez and his 14-year-old daughter, who are on the run following a horrific murder of a newborn infant and a severe child sexual abuse investigation.
"We can now confirm that Sergio Galvez Perez is the biological father of the 14-year-old murder suspect and the biological father of Baby Angelita," Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto said at a news conference on Monday, September 1.
Inside the Tragedy
Sergio Galvez Perez was accused of impregnating his daughter, 14, and helping kill their newborn child.
First responders discovered the deceased infant along Struve Road in Moss Landing, Calif., on August 1, with her umbilical cord still attached and showing signs of blunt force trauma.
Investigators state the 14-year-old gave birth on the side of the road, left the newborn on the ground and fled. Perez allegedly began sexually abusing his daughter when she was 13, leading to the pregnancy.
Law enforcement cracked the case within 53 hours using Flock Safety license plate reader cameras to trace a beige 2010 Mercury Milan linked to the family.
A Judge Issued a Murder Warrant
Sergio Galvez Perez is wanted on multiple felony warrants.
Perez is wanted on multiple felony warrants, including incest, lewd acts with a minor, child endangerment and child concealment.
Investigators believe he is actively hiding the teenager from law enforcement.
A judge issued a murder warrant for his teen daughter under California Penal Code §187(a).
However, Nieto emphasized that the teen is widely viewed as a victim of severe sexual abuse, and authorities are primarily concerned with securing her safety.
"She's also a victim because of the sexual abuse by her own father," Nieto said during a news conference, while urging the girl to come forward safely.
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Sergio Galvez Perez's daughter is wanted for murder but is also a victim of sexual abuse.
The teenager’s biological mother, 36-year-old Ofelia Garcia Ortega, was arrested and charged with felony child endangerment before being released on bail.
Perez is known to have ties to the Salinas and Castroville areas and is reportedly involved with a musical group.
The Sheriff's Office released additional photos of him on August 31 to help the public identify him.
The deceased newborn was found in Moss Landing, Calif.
Anyone with information on their whereabouts should immediately call 911 or contact Detective Kennedy at (831) 755-3773. Authorities warn the public not to approach Perez, as he is considered a dangerous felon.
"She was a newborn child whose life was tragically taken," Nieto said. "When a child is killed, when someone is raped, when a violent offender is moving through our community, minutes and hours matter."
