Photo: Flagler County Sheriff's Office
A college student from Palm Coast, Florida, has been indicted on first-degree murder and related charges after authorities allege she allowed her newborn to drown in a toilet and later buried the infant in her backyard. According to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Anne Demegillo, age 20, was indicted by a grand jury on Monday (April 6) on charges of first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated child abuse, and failure to report a death with intent to conceal evidence. She is currently being held without bail.
Investigators say Demegillo gave birth unexpectedly at her home early on Wednesday (March 5), placed the baby in the toilet, and watched as the infant cried and drowned. Authorities reported that she then went to class at Daytona State College, participated in a campus play, and later returned home to bury the child in a shallow grave in the backyard. The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office said Demegillo had searched for “newborn premature babies,” “foods to decrease fertility,” and “Palm Coast OBGYN” on her phone, and possessed images of Casey Anthony, the Florida mother acquitted in her own child’s 2008 death.
Authorities said that Demegillo messaged a friend about her actions, and that friend contacted the sheriff’s office. Deputies found the baby’s body, wrapped in a towel, beneath four to five inches of dirt. Demegillo told police she knew her actions were wrong and that she needed to be held accountable, according to an affidavit.
Sheriff Rick Staly described the case as shocking, saying, “It’s hard to comprehend how a mother would choose to watch their infant drown instead of lifting the baby out of the toilet.”
Demegillo’s arraignment is scheduled for April 21.