Daijiworld Media Network - Florida
Florida, Apr 8: A 20-year-old college student, Anne Demegillo, has been charged with the murder of her newborn, in a case described as shocking by investigators.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Demegillo allegedly gave birth to a baby girl in a toilet at her Palm Coast home on March 5 and watched the infant cry before drowning. Authorities said she later attended classes, participated in a campus play, and returned home to bury the baby in the backyard.
A grand jury has indicted her on charges of first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated child abuse, and failure to report a death with intent to conceal evidence. She remains in custody without bail.
Investigators revealed that Demegillo had sent messages to a friend describing the incident, prompting the friend to alert police. According to the affidavit, she later removed the baby from the toilet after it stopped moving, wrapped the body in a blanket, placed it in a bag, and hid it in her closet before burying it.
The sheriff’s office also stated that her phone contained images of Casey Anthony and searches related to “newborn premature babies” and “foods to decrease fertility.”
The reference to Casey Anthony pertains to a widely publicised 2008 case in Florida involving the death of her child, which led to a high-profile trial. Anthony was acquitted of murder but convicted of providing false information to police.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly termed the case deeply disturbing, highlighting the gravity of the allegations.
Further investigation is underway, and the accused’s defence team has not yet issued an official response.