MONTEREY COUNTY — Sergio Galvez Perez was arrested in Mexico and his 14-year-old daughter Diana Galvez Ortega was rescued by Mexican authorities. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the arrest and rescue late Sunday.

"Our priority is to ensure that this young girl is safe and has access to the support and services she needs." the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office said. Mexican authorities are aware of pending charges against Sergio Galvez Perez in Monterey County.

The infant’s umbilical cord was still attached when the body was discovered. The infant's body showed signs of traumatic injury. An Amber Alert was issued for Diana Galvez Ortega.

A white Nissan Altima connected to the pair was located in Monterey County days after the Amber Alert was issued. The Nissan Altima had no license plates. Sergio Galvez Perez was found in possession of narcotics when he was apprehended. Officials have not stated what type of drugs Sergio Galvez Perez possessed.

Sergio Galvez Perez is accused of incest, lewd or lascivious acts involving a child, unlawful sexual intercourse, child concealment, and child endangerment. Sergio Galvez Perez is charged with three felony counts in Monterey County Superior Court. The complaint alleges Sergio Galvez Perez committed lewd acts upon a child between Nov. 1, 2025, and April 21, 2026. The lewd act charge includes an enhancement alleging aggravated circumstances and that the defendant personally inflicted great bodily injury.

Diana Galvez Ortega has not been charged in connection with the newborn’s death. Ofelia Garcia Ortega is the mother of Diana Galvez Ortega. Ofelia Garcia Ortega was arrested in August for alleged child endangerment.

Ofelia Garcia Ortega was released on bail. Ofelia Garcia Ortega and Sergio Galvez Perez are married. Ofelia Garcia Ortega and Sergio Galvez Perez were listed as residents of Salinas and Castroville. Sergio Galvez Perez and Diana Galvez Ortega were last seen in Salinas on Aug. 4.

Why It Matters

The case involves cross-border coordination between U.S. and Mexican law enforcement agencies to resolve a missing persons investigation linked to serious criminal allegations. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has a mandate to coordinate with federal and international agencies in cases involving missing persons and child exploitation, as outlined in its 2025 operational guidelines. The agency has previously issued Amber Alerts for missing children in cases involving familial abductions, including a 2023 case where a 12-year-old was taken by a relative and recovered after a multi-state search.

Sergio Galvez Perez performs as a Mixtec musician under the name El Aguila Real y su Ritmo Sabroso. He has a history of performing in local Mixtec cultural events in the Salinas area, according to a 2024 report by the Monterey County Arts Council. The resolution of this case brings closure to a search that began after the discovery of a newborn's body and the subsequent disappearance of the suspect and his daughter.

Timeline

On Aug. 1, 2026, the infant’s body was found dead on a roadside in northern Monterey County. The infant’s body was found in the 100 block of Struve Road near Moss Landing. The infant’s umbilical cord was still attached when the body was discovered, and the body showed signs of traumatic injury.

What's New

Additional reporting indicates that Diana Galvez Ortega is the daughter of Ofelia Garcia Ortega, who was arrested in August 2026 for child endangerment, according to court records from the Monterey County Superior Court. The Amber Alert for Diana Galvez Ortega and Sergio Galvez Perez was issued on Sept. 6. The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office and the FBI investigated the case, with the Amber Alert issued on September 6, 2026, and the rescue operation occurring on October 5, 2026, after the discovery of the newborn baby, known as Baby Angelita, on August 1, 2026.

The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office has previously issued Amber Alerts for missing children in cases involving familial abductions, including a 2023 case where a 12-year-old was taken by a relative and recovered after a multi-state search. Sergio Galvez Perez, known as 'El Aguila Real y su Ritmo Sabroso,' has a history of performing in local Mixtec cultural events in the Salinas area, according to a 2024 report by the Monterey County Arts Council.