Here’s what you need to know about Amber Alerts
The Amber Alert system was started in 1996 in Texas when broadcasters teamed with local police to have the public help find abducted children.
The Republic
The California Highway Patrol issued an Amber Alert for a teenage girl amid an ongoing search for her and a fugitive man wanted in connection with the death of a newborn in early August.
The alert pinged cell phones across the state on Sept. 7 on behalf of the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office, which reported the 14-year-old girl, Diana Galvez Ortega, missing. She has addresses in both Castroville and Salinas.
The agency said the teen was spotted traveling with 38-year-old Sergio Galvez Perez, who is wanted on multiple alleged sex crime charges involving the teen, as well as alleged child endangerment and murder. The sheriff’s office said Galvez Ortega is considered a victim in the case.
Officials have issued arrest warrants for Galvez Perez, and they allege he has prevented law enforcement from locating the 14-year-old girl.
Galvez Ortega and Galvez Perez were last spotted near Constitution Boulevard and East Laurel Drive in Salinas around 2 a.m. PT on Aug. 4, the CHP said in its Labor Day weekend Amber Alert.
“These allegations are extremely serious and are an important part of why locating Diana and ensuring her safety and well-being remain a priority,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release on Facebook.
Alert connected to death of infant
The search for pair is connected to an ongoing investigation into the death of a baby found last month in California. Officials are calling the infant Baby Angelita, which translates to Baby Angel in Spanish.
The sheriff’s office named the baby after she was found dead at 8:30 a.m. PT on Aug. 1 along a road just north of the Moss Wildlife Landing Area.
Authorities said in a news release they currently believe “a juvenile girl gave birth to Baby Angelita along the side of the road and placed her on the ground before leaving the area.” Officials did not immediately provide additional information. A preliminary autopsy report said the infant suffered signs of traumatic injury.
The Monterey County Sheriff’s Office told USA TODAY it would not release additional information about the case, citing the active investigation.
In a separate news release, the sheriff’s office said it requested the Amber Alert for Galvez Ortega because officials assessed surveillance video showing her with Galvez Perez in a white Nissan Altima with no plates.
“This newly discovered information provided investigators with vehicle information that was not previously available and confirmed that Sergio and Diana were together at that time,” the agency wrote.
Description of Diana Galvez Ortega and Sergio Galvez Perez
Authorities described Galvez Ortega as 4 feet, 10 inches tall, weighing 100 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Galvez Perez is a Hispanic man, standing about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighing 170 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes.
Anyone with information about the case or who spots the pair is asked to call 911. They are not to be approached, law enforcement warned.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.