PALM COAST, Florida — The Flagler County Sheriff's Office has arrested 20-year-old Anne Mae Demegillo on charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child following an incident involving the death of a newborn at her home.
According to Chief Deputy Joe Barile, authorities received a welfare check call at approximately 4:00 AM on March 7. The caller stated that Demegillo had sent text messages claiming she had been secretly pregnant and "had done something" to the baby after giving birth.
Police arrived at the residence in Palm Coast. Demegillo led officers to the backyard, where the newborn's body was found buried under approximately 3–5 inches (7–12 cm) of soil, a heartbreaking detail reminiscent of cases involving Florida mothers that have shocked the public.
The initial investigation revealed that Demegillo gave birth in a toilet at her home. This case bears similarities to the incident where a mother in New Mexico was prosecuted after abandoning her newborn in a bathroom. According to her statement to police, she stood and watched the newborn cry and move until it died.
The body was then placed in a duffel bag and kept in a closet before being buried in the backyard around 10:00 PM the previous night.
According to investigators, the newborn weighed 3 pounds 6 ounces (about 1.5 kg) and was 18.7 inches long.
Police stated that Demegillo continued to attend classes at Daytona State College and participated in a performance at a local theater following the incident.
Chief Deputy Barile noted that Demegillo appeared calm during questioning and showed no clear emotion. This is one of several tragic cases involving young children in the state, alongside the case of the elderly woman arrested in Florida for negligence leading to a child's death. Family members and those close to her were previously unaware of the pregnancy.
Authorities are continuing to investigate the case. Demegillo is currently being held at the Flagler County Sheriff's Office Jail.
