Anne Mae Demegillo (20), a Florida college student, faces aggravated manslaughter of a child charges after allegedly giving birth to a live baby girl, allowing her to drown in a toilet, concealing the body, and continuing her day by performing in a play.
Incident Details
- Early Friday morning (~3-4 a.m.): Demegillo experienced severe abdominal pain at her Flagler County home, unexpectedly delivered a ~3 lb 6 oz, 18-inch girl into the toilet.
- Detectives determined the infant was born alive and crying; Demegillo watched her drown without intervening or calling 911.
- She placed the body in a duffel bag (hidden in closet), went to New Smyrna Beach theater for a performance as “Virtue” in Anything Goes, then returned, wrapped the baby in a blanket, and buried her in a shallow 4-5 inch backyard grave.
Arrest and Investigation
- Deputies responded ~4 a.m. to a welfare check after a 911 caller reported Demegillo’s messages admitting birth and “doing something” to the baby.
- Demegillo claimed uncertainty about pregnancy and baby was dead at birth; evidence proved otherwise.
- Chief Deputy Joseph Barile noted her “oddly calm” demeanor in interview, lacking remorse.
Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly called it a “heartbreaking tragedy,” reminding mothers of Florida’s safe haven law (surrender newborns anonymously at hospitals/fire stations/police). No questions asked—could have saved the infant. Demegillo is jailed; case underscores mental health crises in secrecy.
