AMBER Alert issued for missing child after mother found dead

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The St. Petersburg Police Department is searching for a missing toddler after his mother was found dead at an apartment Thursday afternoon.

Detectives launched a homicide investigation after 20-year-old Pashun Jeffery was found dead at 2:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Shores Apartments, off of 4th Street North.

Her 2-year-old son, Taylen Mosley, is also missing, the police department explains. The agency says the child could be in danger, and an AMBER alert has been issued.

According to the police department’s public information officer, officers first responded to the apartment after Jeffery’s family voiced their concerns about the 20-year-old. 

Family members told police they saw the mother and her son, Taylen, at the apartment at around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to St. Pete Police Chief Anthony Holloway. At around 9:30 p.m., Holloway said a neighbor heard a commotion.

Members of the family hadn’t heard from the woman Thursday so at around 2:30 p.m. they asked the apartment manager to conduct a check on Jeffery. That’s when maintenance from the apartment complex reportedly found her body inside.

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Taylen lived at the apartment with his mother but was not there once officers arrived, the agency explains.

Police arrived to find a “very violent homicide scene” inside the apartment, Holloway said.

Law enforcement from the state, county and local levels are on the search for 2-year-old Taylen. K-9s are expected to help in the search as well as the use of a drone to search near the apartment. 

Police are still working to learn who the child could be in the company of, however, Holloway said they do not believe the 2-year-old is with his father.

“If you have this child, please, call us,” the chief said. “Let us know that this child is safe because that’s our main concern right now.”

Anyone with information, including camera footage or suspicious activities, is asked to contact the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-893-7780.