Search for missing girl continues Sunday despite grim prognosis

DENVER – Police and the Denver District Attorney's Office are asking the public to search their dumpsters for a bag which may contain the body of a 3-year-old girl.

Nevaeh Gallegos is described as about 3 feet, 6 inches tall, weighing 40 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a red, long sleeve shirt with a white elephant on the front and red sweatpants. Authorities say she has a scratch on the outside corner of her left eye.

"It's pretty simple. Walk out into your backyards, look through your dumpsters, help us find this little girl. She's probably in a black bag or white plastic bag. We can use all the help we can get," said Denver District Attorney Mitch Morrissey.

Police say they believe Gallegos' body was placed in a white trash bag and then a black bag and then into a duffle bag, which police describe as blue with black handles. Police are searching dumpsters, buildings and alley ways from 6th Avenue to 20th and Downing to Speer.

"In any type of a homicide, it's always critical to find a body," said Morrissey.

Around 7:45 p.m. on Friday, police arrested 22-year-old Angel Ray Montoya at 13th and Lincoln after a short foot chase.

On Saturday, Montoya and his girlfriend - and Nevaeh 's mother – 20-year-old Miriam Gallegos, appeared in court. Montoya was advised of a first-degree murder charge and is being held without bond. Gallegos was advised that she's being held on charges of false reporting, accessory to a crime and child abuse resulting in death. Miriam Gallegos initially reported Nevaeh 's disappearance as a kidnapping. Her bond was set at $500,000, according to authorities.

Morrissey says when Montoya was found, he had a light rail pass on him, so Montoya may have had the bag with him on the light rail or on the bus.

Morrissey says there are no cases pending against Montoya or Gallegos.

Anyone with any information about the girl's whereabouts is urged to call 911, the Denver Police at 720-913-200 or Crime Stoppers at 720-913-STOP (7867).