The Monterey County District Attorney’s Office issued a statement clarifying the status of an ongoing criminal investigation into the death of a newborn baby amid public backlash directed toward the Sheriff’s Office due to its framing of the 14-year-old mother — a victim of alleged incest and sexual abuse — as a murder suspect.

The Sheriff’s Office on Monday announced that it was searching for a 14-year-old girl and a 38-year-old man in connection with its investigation into the death of a baby whose body was discovered on the side of a Monterey County road near Moss Landing on Aug. 1.

A warrant was issued for the man, Sergio Galvez Perez, who was suspected of being the father of both the teenage girl and the deceased infant.

A warrant was also issued for the teenager, who was accused of murder after allegedly giving birth on the side of Struve Road and leaving the baby behind, the Sheriff’s Office said.

The teen’s mother, 36-year-old Ofelia Garcia Ortega, was arrested on suspicion of child endangerment but was released after posting bail, the Sheriff’s Office said. Authorities were still searching for the 14-year-old and Galvez Perez, who was also accused of concealing the girl, as of Thursday morning.

Despite the framing of the teenage abuse victim as a murder suspect, which drew public backlash online, District Attorney Jeannine Pacioni announced on Wednesday that her office has not yet decided to bring any charges against the teen girl.

“The District Attorney’s Office has not received a filing request for criminal charges against the 14-year-old Jane Doe, nor has our office received any investigative reports from law enforcement,” the announcement posted to Facebook said. The office had, however, filed criminal charges against Galvez Perez due to the allegations that he sexually abused and impregnated his daughter.

“The charge of child molestation is a serious and violent felony under California law, constitutes a strike under California’s Three Strikes law, and requires sex offender registration upon conviction,” the DA’s Office said. “We are requesting a warrant be issued for his arrest, and we call on him to turn himself in and face the charges against him.”

The warrants that had previously been issued for the suspects were Ramey warrants, according to the statement, which are probable cause warrants requested by law enforcement and granted by a judge. Ramey warrants do not receive prior approval or review from the DA, the statement said.

The DA’s Office said it was prepared to connect the teen with help and resources once she is located, acknowledging that victims of abuse may not be able to seek help on their own, especially when they are under the control of someone else.

“We recognize that the 14-year-old is a victim of her father’s abuse,” the statement said. “No child should ever have to endure such horrific circumstances. We want her to know that help is available and that our office and our community partners are prepared to support her when she is able to access those services.”

The office was also reviewing potential charges against Garcia Ortega, but said those were unrelated to the death of the baby or the alleged sexual assault by the teen’s father.

Sheriff’s Office spokesman Andy Rosas told The Tribune on Thursday that Garcia Ortega’s arrest hinged on her alleged failure to provide medical care for the 14-year-old and unsafe conditions impacting other children in the home. Meanwhile, Rosas said that there were no updates on the whereabouts of Galvez Perez or his daughter. The Sheriff’s Office did not, at the time, have an indication of where the two were located.

He also confirmed that the teenager was not considered a missing person at the time. There were no immediate plans to issue an Amber alert due to the criteria that needed to be met for an alert to be activated, Rosas said.

“We do not have vehicle information,” he said. “We do not have confirmed details that she is in danger or that she is willingly or unwillingly with her mom or dad.”

When asked if the Sheriff’s Office planned to adjust its messaging in light of the District Attorney’s announcement, Rosas said no.

“Not at this time,” he said. “Facts were presented to a judge, who signed the Ramey warrant for the charge announced against the juvenile.”

Anyone with information pertaining to the active murder investigation or the whereabouts of the suspects was encouraged to contact Monterey County Sheriff’s Office Detective Sgt. Nicholas Kennedy at 831.755.3773 or Detective Richard Geng at 831.759.7279.