The quiet Palm Coast neighborhood woke to disturbing news when deputies uncovered the tiny body of a newborn buried in a shallow grave behind a family home. Authorities say the child’s mother, 20-year-old Anne Mae Demegillo, now faces a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child after investigators say the infant was born alive and later buried in the backyard.
Deputies with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office began looking into the case early Friday morning after someone contacted authorities for a welfare check. That person had reportedly received troubling messages from Demegillo describing an unexpected birth at home and raising concerns about the baby’s safety. The call prompted deputies to visit the residence on Florida Park Drive in Palm Coast.
According to investigators, Demegillo told deputies she had not known she was pregnant until severe abdominal pain sent her to the bathroom during the early hours of March 5. There, she said, she unexpectedly delivered a baby girl in the toilet. The newborn initially cried, but the crying eventually stopped.
Authorities say the infant weighed about three pounds, six ounces and measured just under nineteen inches long. Detectives believe the baby was alive after birth but later died while still in the bathroom. Investigators say Demegillo admitted the infant stopped moving and breathing after the birth.
Afterward, deputies say Demegillo placed the baby’s body in a bag and hid it inside a closet in the home. Instead of contacting emergency services or seeking medical help, investigators say she continued with her normal routine that day, including attending college classes and going to a theater performance.
Later that night, authorities say Demegillo returned home and buried the infant in a shallow grave in the backyard. When detectives searched the property, they uncovered the remains under only a few inches of dirt.
Investigators also noted that Demegillo appeared hesitant when deputies questioned her during the welfare check. Officials said she showed little visible emotion while describing what had happened. Sheriff Rick Staly called the case heartbreaking for the community and said the investigation remains ongoing.
Demegillo is currently being held at the Flagler County jail as detectives continue to review evidence and determine whether additional charges may follow. Officials say the case serves as a painful reminder of the tragic consequences when help is not sought during a crisis.
