'You Deserve To Be Safe': Community Leaders Lambast Police Handling Of Teen Victim In Newborn's Death

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA — As the manhunt continues for a man suspected of impregnating his teen daughter whose newborn infant was left on the side of a road to die, a Monterey County supervisor released a statement Thursday condemning how police first handled the search for the 14-year-old victim.

Wendy Root Askew, supervisor for Monterey County's fourth district, sent out a statement on the teen victim.

Askew criticized the Aug. 31 statement sent out by the Monterey County Sheriff's Office characterizing the 14-year-old girl as a murder suspect.

"The public outrage I have heard over this press release is not only understandable; it is appropriate," Askew wrote. "People are angry because something feels fundamentally wrong here."

Askew continued by stating that police believe the girl's father, Sergio Galvez Perez, 38, is hiding the teen while he is wanted on multiple charges related to sexual abuse of a child, incest, child concealment and child endangerment.

"A child cannot consent to sex with an adult. A child who becomes pregnant due to sexual abuse by an adult, who gives birth without medical care, and who is being concealed by the man suspected of sexually abusing her is a victim," Askew wrote. "Our message to all victims must be consistent and unambiguous: You deserve to be safe. You can ask for help. We will help you."

Emergency personnel respond on Aug. 1 to the 100 block of Struve Road after receiving a report that an infant had been found. That morning, fire officials confirmed the baby, whom investigators are calling “Baby Angelita, had died.

"I grieve deeply for the deceased infant," Askew wrote. "The loss of a newborn is heartbreaking and devastating. Law enforcement's investigation of this death is ongoing with the goal of pursuing justice and holding offenders accountable."

According to the postmortem forensic exam, the baby still had her umbilical cord attached, and there were signs of traumatic injury, officials said.

Police continue to search for Galvez Perez and said he is concealing the teen girl.

"Right now, the most urgent responsibility of every agency involved must be to find this 14-year-old girl and ensure that she is safe, to separate her from any potential abuser, and to ensure she receives immediate postpartum medical care, trauma-informed support, and protection," Askew wrote.

On Wednesday, Monterey County District Attorney Jeannine M. Pacioni sent out a statement clarifying criminal charged for the 14-year-old, stating her office has not received a filing request for criminal charges against her, nor has their office received any investigative reports from law enforcement.

"As a result, our office has not made any charging decision regarding the 14-year-old Jane Doe," the district attorney's office announced.

Pacioni said there are charges against Galvez Perez for sexually assaulting his own daughter.

"We are requesting a warrant be issued for his arrest, and we call on him to turn himself in and face the charges against him," Pacioni wrote.

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The sheriff’s office is asking anyone who sees Galvez Perez or the 14-year-old girl to immediately call 911.

Officials warned the public not to approach or confront Galvez Perez.

Anyone with information that could assist investigators, including information about the whereabouts of Galvez Perez or the girl, can contact Detective Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy at 831-755-3773 or Detective Richard Geng at 831-759-7279.

Tips can be provided anonymously, the sheriff’s office said.

The investigation remains active.