California man accused of impregnating teen daughter in infant death case arrested in Mexico

By Jose Fabian

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office said Sunday that the man suspected of sexually abusing and impregnating his 14-year-old daughter has been arrested in Mexico, ending a months-long search after their newborn was found dead Aug. 1.

Sheriff Tina Nieto said Diana Galvez Ortega was rescued safely by Mexican law enforcement, and her father, Sergio Galvez Perez, was arrested during the rescue operation. Perez was in possession of narcotics when he was found, Nieto said.

Perez is wanted on suspicion of incest, lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, lewd acts with a minor, unlawful sexual intercourse, child concealment and child endangerment, according to the sheriff’s office.

“Mexican authorities are aware of the pending charges against him in Monterey County for crimes committed against Diana. Diana is safe and is currently in the care of local authorities in Mexico,” Nieto said.  

The sheriff’s office will hold a press conference at a later date, Nieto said.

Infant death investigation

Deputies first began looking for Perez and the teen girl after the remains of an infant were found on the side of a Monterey County road on Aug. 1. Investigators later said they could confirm Perez was the father of the teen girl and of the infant, who authorities are calling “Baby Angelita,” and that both of them were wanted in connection with the infant’s death. 

While investigators initially said the teen girl had an arrest warrant on suspicion of murder, the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office said no charging decision had been made.

“We recognize that the 14-year-old is a victim of her father’s abuse. No child should ever have to endure such horrific circumstances,” the DA’s office said in a statement on Sept. 2.

Teen’s mother arrested

Detectives said they arrested the teen’s mother on Tuesday, Oct. 6, and identified her as 36-year-old Ofelia Garcia Ortega. The sheriff’s office said the DA filed charges against Garcia Ortega following an investigation into “Baby Angelita’s” death and into her conduct with the teen.

“Investigators determined Garcia Ortega allegedly put her daughter to work in agricultural fields at age 13 using falsified documentation, allowed her to drive without a license, and allowed her to remain completely out of school,” the sheriff’s office said.

An arrest warrant was then issued, and Garcia Ortega was arrested around 2:45 p.m. at the Salinas Superior Courthouse, the sheriff’s office said. Garcia Ortega faces two felony charges of displaying or possessing a forged identification card, a misdemeanor count of permitting a child to suffer or be endangered, and a misdemeanor count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The sheriff’s office said she will be booked into the Monterey County Jail.

Garcia Ortega was initially arrested back in August, but she was released after posting bail, according to the sheriff’s office.