ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. — St. Augustine mother Michelle Taylor has been sentenced to three years in prison nearly seven years after a fire that killed her 11-year-old son.

In April 2025, Taylor pleaded no contest to manslaughter in the 2018 death of her son, David Taylor. The state dropped arson charges against her. 

The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office said the fire that killed David was set intentionally, which they determined after finding gasoline in samples taken from the home. They later named Taylor as the arsonist, saying her motive was collecting insurance money. She was indicted on first-degree murder and arson charges by a grand jury in 2018, but pleaded down to manslaughter. 

A family member told First Coast News at the time of the fire that David died when he went back inside to save his dog. He believed David breathed in smoke and became unconscious.

Taylor and her 18-year-old daughter made it out of the house. The 18-year-old called 911 and told them her brother was trapped inside.

After her sentence is served, Taylor will serve six years of probation.