Arrest warrants issued in connection with dead baby found on Moss Landing roadside

SALINAS — The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office says they have probable cause to arrest two individuals in connection with the infant found dead on Struve Road Aug. 1. Two arrest warrants have been issued. Investigators say they have been calling the infant “Baby Angelita,” or “Baby Angel” in Spanish.

The two warrants are for Sergio Galvez Perez, 36, of the Salinas/Castroville area and for an unnamed 14-year-old, also of the Castroville and Salinas area. The arrest warrant for Perez covers multiple charges, including incest and lewd acts with a minor. The warrant for the juvenile is for murder.

Detectives say Perez is concealing the 14-year-old, preventing law enforcement from finding her. Anyone who observes him is asked to contact law enforcement immediately and not approach or confront him.

Baby Angelita was found on Aug. 1 in the 100 block of Struve Road near Moss Landing after the body was reported lying near the roadway. She was declared dead at the scene. Investigators say that evidence indicates a juvenile gave birth to Baby Angelita on the side of the road before placing her on the ground and leaving. The press release also states that a post-mortem indicated Baby Angelita suffered traumatic injury.

Detectives say that Flock automated license plate readers assisted with the investigation in identifying a vehicle of interest, as well as developing other leads and locating individuals relevant to the investigation.

One other individual, Ofelia Garcia Ortega, a 36-year-old resident of the Castroville/Salinas area was arrested and booked for child endangerment and has posted bail and subsequently been released.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators, including information regarding the whereabouts of Sergio Galvez Perez or the 14-year-old juvenile, is asked to contact Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Detective Sergeant Nicholas Kennedy at (831) 755-3773 or Detective Richard Geng at (831) 759-7279. Anyone providing information may remain anonymous.

“The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office will continue to use every available investigative resource to find those involved and seek justice for Baby Angelita,” says the press release. “We will do everything we can to make sure her life is not forgotten and that those responsible are held accountable.”