Fla. Mom Accused of Watching Her Newborn Drown, Allegedly Had Casey Anthony Images on Phone

A tragic incident in Palm Coast, Florida, has resulted in a 20-year-old college student, Anne Mae Demegillo, facing serious charges, including first-degree murder. Authorities allege that she gave birth in her family home and left her newborn daughter to drown in a toilet, before later burying the infant in the backyard.

Demegillo was indicted by a grand jury on 6 April, having initially been arrested in March for aggravated manslaughter of a child. The State Attorney for Florida’s 7th Circuit reported that she now faces additional charges including premeditated murder, aggravated child abuse, and failing to report a death with intent to conceal.

The case began to unfold in the early hours of 6 March, when local sheriff’s deputies were called to conduct a welfare check on Demegillo. Reports indicated that she had allegedly sent alarming messages about her concealed pregnancy and the subsequent birth. The messages suggested the infant was alive but implied that Demegillo had harmed the child.

Upon arrival, deputies were informed by Demegillo that she had experienced severe abdominal pain that led to her delivering the baby in the bathroom. She allegedly believed the newborn was deceased and, instead of seeking medical help, hid the infant in a duffle bag in her closet before returning to her daily activities.

Following a performance she attended, Demegillo reportedly decided to bury the child in a shallow grave in the backyard without contacting emergency services at any point. Authorities contend that she “knowingly and purposefully” let the newborn drown, a claim supported by evidence gathered by detectives.

Investigators uncovered a range of disturbing digital evidence on Demegillo’s phone, including searches for “newborn premature babies,” “Palm Coast OBGYN,” and “foods to decrease fertility.” Additionally, images of the notorious Casey Anthony and newborns suggested she may have been researching child death cases, raising further suspicions about her intent.

The Flagler County Sheriff, Rick Staly, expressed disbelief regarding Demegillo’s actions, remarking on the horror of a mother watching her infant drown. He praised the investigative efforts that led to the indictment, emphasising the diligence of both traditional and digital forensic teams in bringing the case to light.

Community members have been left shocked by the incident. The sheriff took the opportunity to remind residents of Florida’s Safe Haven Law, which allows parents to surrender infants safely at designated locations such as fire stations, hospitals, or police stations, thus providing an alternative to abandonment.

Demegillo is currently being held at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility without bond while awaiting her next court appearance. Her legal representative did not provide a comment when requested. The proceedings are expected to garner considerable attention, given the distressing nature of the allegations and their implications for the local community.