Share and Follow
Inset: Anne Mae Demegillo (Flagler County Sheriff”s Office). Background: Cops investigate after Demegillo allegedly gave birth to a baby in a toilet and watched her drown (WOFL).
A 20-year-old woman from Florida is facing serious charges after allegedly giving birth and subsequently allowing her newborn to drown in a toilet before continuing with her day, which included participating in a college play.
Anne Mae Demegillo, aged 20, has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, as reported by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. The incident came to light when deputies responded to a welfare check around 4 a.m. on Friday. A 911 caller had informed dispatchers that Demegillo had sent them messages indicating she had unexpectedly given birth at home.
The newborn was reportedly alive and crying, but according to the caller, Demegillo had taken some action against the infant. Upon arriving at the scene, deputies interviewed Demegillo, who claimed she was unaware of her pregnancy until she experienced severe abdominal pain around 3 a.m. that morning.
Demegillo recounted delivering the baby into the toilet, asserting that the child was already deceased. However, investigators later confirmed that the baby was alive at birth and alleged that Demegillo watched as the infant drowned.
After the tragic incident, Demegillo allegedly placed the baby in a duffel bag and concealed it in a closet. She then proceeded to a theater in New Smyrna Beach, where she performed as the character “Virtue” in the play “Anything Goes,” according to police statements.
After returning home, she wrapped the infant in a blanket and buried the child in a 4- to 5-inch grave in the backyard, cops said.
“At no point did Demegillo contact emergency services for assistance,” cops wrote.
Chief Deputy Joseph Barile told reporters at a press conference that the baby girl weighed about 3 pounds and 6 ounces and was around 18 inches long.
Barile was asked about the suspect’s demeanor during her interview with cops.
“Oddly calm,” he said. “I watched some of the interview and I didn’t see any remorse.”
Authorities noted that Demegillo could have dropped the baby off at a hospital or fire station — no questions asked.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy for our community, for the family involved, and an emotionally difficult case for our team,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a statement. “I want to remind our community, especially our expectant mothers: Florida law allows you to bring a child at birth to a local fire station, hospital or law enforcement agency and surrender the child. That is a much better solution than what we are investigating today — for everyone involved, but most importantly the infant who was prevented from the life they deserve. May God bless this infant and hold and comfort the baby in his loving hands with the love the baby never received on earth.”