Authorities in Florida have arrested a 20-year-old woman after investigators say her newborn baby died shortly after birth under tragic circumstances inside her home. The case has drawn significant attention in Flagler County as officials piece together the events that unfolded in the early hours of March 6. According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, the young woman allegedly gave birth in her bathroom and later allowed the infant to drown in a toilet. The case came to light after a concerned individual contacted authorities requesting a welfare check, leading deputies to discover disturbing details about what had occurred.
The suspect, Anne Mae Demegillo of Palm Coast, now faces a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child. Investigators say the infant was born alive and crying before the fatal incident occurred. The situation has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the pregnancy, the moments following the birth, and the decisions that were made afterward. Law enforcement officials say the investigation remains ongoing as they continue gathering evidence and reviewing the timeline of events leading to the child’s death.
The tragedy has also sparked renewed discussion about options available to parents who are unable or unwilling to care for a newborn child. Officials noted that Florida law provides legal ways to safely surrender infants without fear of prosecution under certain conditions. In this case, however, authorities say those options were not used. The arrest has left the local community shaken while investigators work to understand the full scope of what happened inside the Palm Coast home.
Events Leading to the Welfare Check
The case began when the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office received a call requesting a welfare check on Anne Mae Demegillo at approximately 4 a.m. on March 6. According to officials, the person who contacted authorities reported receiving troubling messages from Demegillo indicating that she had recently given birth at home. The messages reportedly suggested that the pregnancy had been kept secret and that the birth happened unexpectedly.
In one of the messages described by investigators, Demegillo allegedly told the caller that the baby had been born alive and was crying. However, the messages also reportedly contained a statement indicating that she had “done something” to the infant. Concerned by the content of the communication, the caller contacted emergency dispatchers and requested that authorities check on the situation.
Deputies responded to Demegillo’s residence in Palm Coast to conduct the welfare check. When they arrived, officers encountered the 20-year-old and began questioning her about the situation described in the messages. According to the sheriff’s office, Demegillo told deputies that she had not been certain she was pregnant before the birth occurred. She reportedly explained that around 3 a.m. on March 5 she began experiencing severe abdominal pain while at home.
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The pain intensified before she eventually delivered the baby in the bathroom. Investigators say she told deputies that the birth occurred in the toilet. During the initial interaction with deputies, Demegillo allegedly stated that she believed the baby was already deceased after the birth. According to the sheriff’s office, she told authorities she then placed the infant in a duffle bag and stored it inside a closet in her home. Officials said that after placing the infant in the bag, Demegillo reportedly continued with her day as usual.
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Investigators later stated that she left the home and went about her regular activities without contacting emergency services or seeking medical help. At some point later, deputies said Demegillo returned home and decided to bury the infant. Investigators allege she dug a shallow grave in the backyard of the residence and placed the baby there. The burial reportedly occurred before authorities arrived at the home following the welfare check request.
Investigation and Criminal Charges
After deputies arrived at the residence and began gathering information, the case was turned over to investigators from the sheriff’s office Major Case Unit and Crime Scene Investigation team. Detectives worked to establish a timeline of events and determine exactly what had happened during and after the birth. During the investigation, officials examined the home and the location where the infant had been buried. Evidence collected during the examination helped investigators evaluate Demegillo’s statements and determine whether the baby had been alive at the time of birth.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, detectives ultimately concluded that the newborn had been born alive. Investigators determined that the infant’s death occurred because the baby was allowed to drown in the toilet shortly after birth. Authorities stated that their investigation found Demegillo had knowingly and purposefully allowed the infant to remain in the toilet, leading to the child’s death. Based on those findings, detectives determined that criminal charges were warranted.
Anne Mae Demegillo was arrested and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child. The charge reflects allegations that the death resulted from intentional actions or reckless conduct that led to the fatal outcome. Following her arrest, Demegillo was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. Jail records indicate she has been held without bond as the case proceeds through the legal system.
Investigators have said the case remains active, meaning detectives may continue gathering evidence or interviewing additional witnesses as the investigation moves forward. Law enforcement officials have also asked anyone who may have information related to the case to contact the sheriff’s office. While the criminal charge has already been filed, the legal process could involve additional steps including court hearings, evidence review, and possible further determinations regarding the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
The case has been particularly difficult for investigators and first responders who handled the situation, according to statements from the sheriff’s office. Crimes involving children often carry emotional weight for those involved in the investigation, especially when the victim is a newborn.
Safe Haven Laws and Community Response
Following the announcement of the arrest, the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office also emphasized the existence of laws designed to prevent tragedies involving newborn children. Florida’s Safe Haven Law allows parents who cannot care for their newborn baby to legally surrender the infant at designated locations without facing criminal charges, provided the baby is unharmed. Under the law, parents can bring a newborn to a hospital, fire station, or law enforcement agency and safely surrender the child.
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These locations are equipped to ensure the infant receives immediate medical care and protection. The process is designed to provide an option for parents experiencing distress, fear, or uncertainty after childbirth. Officials highlighted that such programs exist specifically to prevent situations in which newborn children may be abandoned or placed in danger. The law is intended to give parents an alternative during moments of crisis.
In Palm Coast, a Safe Haven Baby Box was recently installed at Fire Station 25. The device allows parents to anonymously surrender a newborn without interacting directly with emergency personnel. Once the baby is placed inside the box, an alert notifies responders who can quickly retrieve the infant and provide care. The baby box was activated on September 30, 2025, according to the sheriff’s office. The climate-controlled compartment is designed to keep the baby safe until emergency personnel arrive.
Sheriff Rick Staly addressed the case publicly and described it as a devastating event for the community. He expressed sympathy for the infant who died and acknowledged the emotional toll the investigation has had on the sheriff’s office personnel involved in the case. At the same time, officials reiterated the importance of public awareness regarding safe surrender options. Law enforcement agencies often use high-profile cases to remind communities about resources that exist to protect vulnerable infants.
Community members in Flagler County have reacted with shock and sadness following news of the arrest. Cases involving newborns often resonate deeply because of the vulnerability of the victims and the tragic circumstances surrounding their deaths. Authorities have not released additional details about Demegillo’s personal circumstances or the factors that may have contributed to the situation. Investigators typically focus on establishing facts related to the alleged crime rather than speculating about motives or personal background unless such information becomes relevant to the case.
As the investigation continues, the legal process will determine the next steps for the accused woman. Prosecutors will review evidence gathered by investigators, and the courts will ultimately decide how the case proceeds. Law enforcement officials say the case remains under active investigation while detectives continue reviewing evidence and collecting information related to the events that occurred inside the Palm Coast residence.