FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. \u2013 A 20-year-old Palm Coast woman was taken into custody after a newborn was found buried in a shallow grave behind her home, the Flagler County Sheriff\u2019s Office said.<\/p>\n
Anne Mae Demegillo, 20, is being held pending an aggravated-manslaughter-of-a-child charge after investigators responded to a welfare check about an adult woman and located the infant in the backyard, according to the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
Anne Mae Demegillo, 20 (Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.)<\/p>\n
The sheriff\u2019s office said law enforcement responded to a home near the intersection of Florida Park and Forest Hill drives in Palm Coast on Friday. <\/p>\n
In a news conference, deputies said the welfare-check call came about 4 a.m., when a friend who had received messages saying a woman had secretly been pregnant and unexpectedly given birth asked deputies to check on her.<\/p>\n
[WATCH THE FULL NEWS CONFERENCE BELOW]<\/p>\n
Demegillo told investigators she delivered the baby in a toilet, that the infant cried at first and then stopped moving and breathing, and that she hid the child in a duffel bag before later burying the infant at about 10 p.m. the previous night, according to the sheriff\u2019s office.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s tragic for the child, for everyone. And it baffles me. I could never imagine being able to do that,” said Chief Deputy Joe Barile. <\/p>\n
Investigators said the baby was female and weighed about 3 pounds, 6 ounces, and measured almost 19 inches long. The medical examiner is still determining the cause and manner of death and other forensic details.<\/p>\n
[BELOW: Florida baby found dead in shallow grave after disturbing birth at home]<\/p>\n
The sheriff\u2019s office said Demegillo was initially reluctant to speak with deputies but later led them to the grave and gave a statement about the birth and her actions afterward. Deputies said the grave was very shallow \u2014 investigators had to remove about 4 to 5 inches of dirt to uncover the infant \u2014 and that the child had been wrapped in a towel.<\/p>\n
Investigators said they believe no one else in the household knew the woman was pregnant. Officials said Demegillo attended a local college and that only her mother was at the home; they said the baby\u2019s father\u2019s whereabouts are unknown and that interviews are ongoing.<\/p>\n
The sheriff\u2019s office said charges were expected to be filed after deputies complete medical clearance. <\/p>\n
Anyone with information should contact the sheriff\u2019s office at (386) 313-4911.<\/p>\n
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