Anne Mae Demegillo: Woman Charged After Newborn Found Buried in Backyard, Sheriff Says She 'Hoped Baby Would Die'

Anne Mae Demegillo, a 20-year-old woman from Palm Coast, Flagler County, Florida is facing aggravated manslaughter charges after her baby died. 

According to police, she reportedly gave birth to a baby girl in her toilet, allowed the infant to drown, and then buried the body in a shallow grave behind her home.

"This is a heartbreaking tragedy for our community, for the family involved, and an emotionally difficult case for them," Sheriff Rick Staly said.

Anne Mae Demegillo

On March 6, 2026, an anonymous person called the police to and requested a welfare check on the suspect. The caller told authorities Demegillo had sent them text messages saying she was secretly pregnant and had given birth at home unexpectedly.

The led to an immediate investigation and around 4:40 a.m. deputies arrived at Demegillo's home on Florida Park Drive where they made a chilling discovery.  

According to criminal investigators, Demegillo gave birth early on the morning of March 5, 2026, while sitting on her bathroom toilet, as per CBS News.

The baby girl, who weighed 3 pounds, 6 ounces and measured 18.7 inches long, was born alive, and police say she began crying when her head was partially submerged in the toilet water.

Rather than seeking help, Demegillo reportedly remained in the bathroom cleaning up blood from the birth while the newborn drowned. 

"She did tell us that she was hoping that the baby would hurry up and die," Staly said during a Facebook video update on the case.

The medical examiner's preliminary report confirmed the baby drowned, as per CBS News. The reports also noted an abrasion on the infant's head, which detectives believe happened when the baby fell into the toilet during birth.

"We know that she spent the time cleaning up the bathroom while the baby was dying," Staly said.

After the baby stopped crying and died, Demegillo initially placed the infant's body in a duffel bag inside her closet, and went about her normal activities like nothing happened. 

According to the sheriff's office, she later went for a theater performance in New Smyrna Beach, and when she returned, authorities said she dug a shallow grave in her backyard and buried the newborn. At no point did she contact emergency services or seek medical help for the baby.

The anonymous tipster who contacted authorities the following morning told deputies that Demegillo's text messages indicated the baby was born alive and crying. 

However, they told police that they believed Demegillo had apparently done something to the infant.

Anne Mae Demegillo Arrested 

Anne Mae Demegillo in court 

When police questioned Demegillo about the discovery, she said she didn't know she was pregnant until she gave birth, but the detectives didn't believe her due to the overwhelming evidence they have.

"She tells us that she did not know she was pregnant. We don't necessarily believe that but we need to be able to prove it," Staly said. "Our opinion doesn't matter in criminal cases. We personally think she knew she was pregnant based on some of the evidence that we have between text messages. But we need to prove that in a criminal case beyond a reasonable doubt."

Additionally, digital forensics experts are currently examining electronic evidence, including text messages, to determine if Demegillo searched for information about giving birth or how to dispose of a child.

Authorities say they do not have information about the father at this time, and they beleive Demegillo hid her pregnancy from her family, as per News Journal.

Regarding Demegillo's mental state, authorities say "She clearly knew what she was doing", and that "she clearly knew that she had given birth."

Demegillo is being held without bond at the Flagler County Jail, and she is currently facing charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child. However, authorities have indicated that the charges could change as the investigation continues.

The police emphasized that Demegillo had legal options available to her under Florida's Safe Haven Law, which allows parents to surrender a newborn at any local fire station, hospital, or law enforcement agency with no questions asked. However, she reportedly didn't go for that option but she chose to allow the baby to die.

"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," Staly continued. "May God bless this infant and hold and comfort the baby in his loving hands with the love the baby never received on earth," he added

Staly said his office will provide all evidence to State Attorney R.J. Larizza's office, which will make the final determination on charges. While the current charge is manslaughter rather than homicide, Staly noted the penalties are often similar.

"To be a first-degree, we'd have to prove premeditated. I don't think that's going to be there based on what we know of the case at this point," Staly said. "But could it be a second-degree? Maybe. That's just speculation at this point."

The investigation remains active, and authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to contact the Flagler County Sheriff's Office at 1-386-313-4911.

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