A newborn was found dead on a California roadside, and a disturbing family connection has sparked a manhunt

A massive manhunt is underway in Northern California for a 38-year-old man and his 14-year-old daughter following the shocking discovery of a newborn’s body on a rural roadside. The disturbing case has horrified the local community and left detectives racing to find the missing teenager, whom authorities say is both a suspect and a potential victim of severe, ongoing abuse.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the investigation began at around 8:30 a.m. when emergency medical personnel, firefighters, and Monterey County sheriff’s deputies responded to a report in a rural agricultural area. Near a strawberry field along the 100 block of Struve Road, just north of Moss Landing, authorities discovered the body of a newborn infant.

Fire personnel pronounced the infant dead at the scene. Investigators later named the victim “Baby Angelita.” A post-mortem examination reportedly found that the newborn had suffered significant traumatic injuries before her death.

Investigators found a lead suggesting that one of the fugitives may also be a victim

As detectives worked the scene, they gathered evidence indicating that a juvenile female had given birth to the baby along the side of the road. According to investigators, the young mother placed the infant on the pavement before leaving the area.

At first, law enforcement had very little information that could help identify those involved. That changed when the department used Flock automated license plate reader cameras positioned throughout the area to identify a vehicle of interest.

According to ABC7 News, detectives tracked a beige 2010 Mercury Milan bearing California license plate 6HCR883 after 53 hours of investigative work. The discovery gave investigators a major lead and helped them identify people they believed were connected to the incident.

The case took an even darker turn when Monterey County Sheriff Tina Nieto held a press conference to announce the arrest warrants. Sheriff Nieto confirmed a shocking biological connection: forensic testing established that Perez is the biological father of both the 14-year-old mother and the deceased infant.

That revelation turned the search for the missing teenager into both a criminal investigation and an urgent effort to find her. Authorities allege that Perez is hiding his 14-year-old daughter to prevent law enforcement from locating her.

Perez is wanted on several serious felony charges, including incest, lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14, unlawful sexual intercourse, child endangerment, and child concealment. Meanwhile, an arrest warrant charging the 14-year-old with murder has been issued in connection with the death of the newborn.

The police are urging the suspect to turn himself in

Sheriff Nieto issued a direct message to the fugitive, urging him to surrender peacefully to police or county detectives. To help with the search, the Sheriff’s Office released multiple photographs of Perez, noting that he is known to be a member of a local musical group. Officials hope someone may recognize him from his public performances.

Perez is considered highly dangerous. Authorities are urging members of the public not to approach or confront him. Anyone who sees him should contact emergency services immediately.