Amber Alert issued for Central Coast girl allegedly impregnated by her father
An Amber Alert was issued Sunday afternoon for the 14-year-old Salinas girl whose newborn baby was found dead on the side of the road after authorities say she was impregnated by her father.
The California Highway Patrol issued the alert at 12:52 p.m. on behalf of the Monterey County Sheriff's Office, identifying the missing teen for the first time.
Diana Galvez Ortega was described as 4 feet, 10 inches tall and weighing 100 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. Authorities said she was taken from Salinas at about 2 a.m. on Aug. 4, more than a month ago.
The suspect is her father, 38-year-old Sergio Galvez Perez, who was described as being 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Authorities said Perez was last seen driving a white Nissan Altima without license plates.
What led to the Amber Alert?
The Amber Alert marked a change from Thursday, when Monterey County Sheriff's Office spokesperson Andy Rosas told The Tribune there were no immediate plans to issue one.
At the time, investigators did not have vehicle information or confirmation that Diana was in danger or was willingly or unwillingly with either parent, Rosas said.
The search stems from an investigation into the death of a newborn found beside Struve Road near Moss Landing on Aug. 1. The Sheriff's Office said the girl had given birth beside the road and alleged that the baby suffered traumatic injuries.
Sheriff Tina Nieto later said Galvez Perez is girl's father and the biological father of the newborn. The District Attorney's Office filed a child molestation charge against Perez over allegations that he sexually abused and impregnated his daughter.
A judge also approved a Ramey warrant requested by law enforcement accusing Diana of murder. The District Attorney's Office said it did not review or approve that warrant, had not received a request to charge Diana and recognized the 14-year-old as a victim of her father's alleged abuse.
The DA's Office said it was prepared to connect Diana with services and support when she is located.
The alert was issued for the following counties: Imperial, Kern, Los Angeles, Monterey, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura.
Anyone who sees Diana, Galvez Perez or the vehicle should not approach them and should call 911.
Anyone with other information may contact Monterey County sheriff's Det. Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy at 831-755-3773 or Det. Richard Geng at 831-759-7279.
