Grand Jury Upgrades Charges to First-Degree Murder in Death of Palm Coast Newborn
A Flagler County Grand Jury has indicted a Palm Coast woman on first-degree murder charges following a month-long investigation into the death of her newborn daughter on March 6, 2026.
The Indictment
On April 6, a grand jury returned a “true bill” — a formal finding that sufficient evidence exists to bring a case to trial — against Anne Mae Demegillo, 20, of Palm Coast. The indictment includes charges of first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated child abuse, and failure to report a death with intent to conceal it or alter the surrounding evidence and circumstances.
Demegillo had originally been arrested on March 6 on a charge of aggravated manslaughter. The more serious charges followed an investigation by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Major Case Unit.
What Investigators Found
During the month-long investigation, detectives recovered digital evidence from Demegillo’s phone, including searches for “newborn premature babies,” “Palm Coast OBGYN,” and “foods to decrease fertility.” Images of Casey Anthony and newborn babies were also found on the device, which investigators said suggest research into the death of a child and subsequent investigation.
Sheriff Rick Staly issued a statement on the case. “This is one of those tragic cases that shock you to your core that a mother would allow a newborn to die because the newborn was a distraction to her life,” Staly said. “It’s hard to comprehend how a mother would choose to watch their infant drown instead of lifting the baby out of the toilet. I commend our investigators who followed every lead and our Digital Forensics team that uncovered the digital evidence to prove this tragic case was a premeditated murder. I thank State Attorney R.J. Larizza and his office for reviewing the facts of our investigation and the Grand Jury for doing a very difficult job.”
Current Status
Demegillo turned herself in at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility following the indictment and is being held without bond pending a court hearing.
Original Release:
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office announced Friday that a 20-year-old Palm Coast woman is being charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child following the death of a newborn infant. The arrest came after a welfare check early Friday morning led investigators to uncover the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
How the Investigation Began
At approximately 4 a.m. on Friday, March 6, the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center received a call requesting a welfare check on Anne Mae Demegillo, 20, of Palm Coast. The caller told dispatchers that Demegillo had sent messages indicating she had been secretly pregnant and had unexpectedly given birth at home. The messages stated that the baby was born alive and crying, and that Demegillo had done something to the infant.
What Demegillo Told Deputies
When deputies arrived at the scene, Demegillo told them she was unsure she was pregnant but began experiencing severe abdominal pain around 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 5, and later delivered the infant in her bathroom toilet. She told deputies she believed the infant was deceased and hid the baby in a duffle bag in her closet. She then went about her normal daily routine, including attending a theater performance in New Smyrna Beach. When she returned home, she buried the infant in a shallow grave in her backyard. At no point did Demegillo contact emergency services or seek any help.
What Investigators Found
The Flagler County Sheriff’s Office Major Case Unit and Crime Scene Investigation team conducted the investigation. Detectives determined that Demegillo knowingly and purposefully allowed the newborn to drown in the toilet. Demegillo is being charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and will be transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility for processing. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
Sheriff’s Statement and Safe Haven Reminder
Sheriff Rick Staly released a statement addressing the tragedy and reminding the community of legal options available to parents who cannot care for a newborn. “This is a heartbreaking tragedy for our community, for the family involved, and an emotionally difficult case for our team,” Staly said. “I want to remind our community, especially our expectant mothers: Florida law allows you to bring a child at birth to a local fire station, hospital or law enforcement agency and surrender the child. That is a much better solution than what we are investigating today — for everyone involved, but most importantly the infant who was prevented from the life they deserve. May God bless this infant and hold and comfort the baby in his loving hands with the love the baby never received on earth.”
Florida’s Safe Haven Law and the Palm Coast Baby Box
Under Florida’s Safe Haven Law, any parent who cannot care for a newborn may legally and safely surrender the child at any fire station, hospital, or police station without fear of prosecution. Palm Coast also has a Safe Haven Baby Box located at Fire Station 25, which was activated on September 30, 2025. The box is secure and climate-controlled, and allows a parent to anonymously surrender a newborn without having to interact with anyone face-to-face.
Anyone with information related to this case is encouraged to contact the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office at 386-313-4911. More information about Florida’s Safe Haven Law can be found at www.myflfamilies.com/SafeHaven. Additional information about the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is available at www.flaglersheriff.com.
This article is based on an official press release issued by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office on March 6, 2026. The charge listed is an accusation. Demegillo is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
