A 20-year-old Florida college student is facing serious criminal charges after authorities say she gave birth at home, allowed the newborn to die, and then went on to perform in a theater show later that day.
Anne Mae Demegillo, of Palm Coast in Flagler County, was arrested on March 6 and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators say the disturbing case came to light early Friday morning when the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center received a call around 4 a.m. requesting a welfare check. The caller reportedly told dispatchers that Demegillo had sent messages saying she had secretly been pregnant and had unexpectedly given birth at home.
Deputies arrived at her residence later that morning. According to Chief Deputy Joe Barile, Demegillo told officers she had delivered the baby the day before while sitting on the toilet. She allegedly said the newborn cried at first but eventually stopped moving.
Authorities say she then placed the infant in a duffel bag and hid the bag inside her closet.
“At that point, she hid the infant in a duffel bag in her closet and went about with her normal daily routine,” Barile said during a press conference.
Investigators say Demegillo later went to her local college and performed in a theater production before returning home.
According to officials, she later buried the baby in a shallow grave in her backyard around 10 p.m. that night. Demegillo eventually led investigators to the location where the infant had been buried.
Authorities said the newborn weighed just 3 pounds, 6 ounces.
During questioning, Demegillo reportedly told investigators she was not certain she was pregnant until the birth occurred.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are asking anyone with information about the case to come forward.
Sheriff’s officials also reminded the public that Florida’s Safe Haven Law allows parents who cannot care for a newborn to legally and safely surrender the baby at a hospital, fire station, or police station without facing criminal charges.
Demegillo made her first court appearance on March 7 and is currently being held without bond.
A 20-year-old Florida college student is facing serious criminal charges after authorities say she gave birth at home, allowed the newborn to die, and then went on to perform in a theater show later that day.
Anne Mae Demegillo, of Palm Coast in Flagler County, was arrested on March 6 and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, according to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.
Investigators say the disturbing case came to light early Friday morning when the Flagler County Emergency Communications Center received a call around 4 a.m. requesting a welfare check. The caller reportedly told dispatchers that Demegillo had sent messages saying she had secretly been pregnant and had unexpectedly given birth at home.
Deputies arrived at her residence later that morning. According to Chief Deputy Joe Barile, Demegillo told officers she had delivered the baby the day before while sitting on the toilet. She allegedly said the newborn cried at first but eventually stopped moving.
Authorities say she then placed the infant in a duffel bag and hid the bag inside her closet.
“At that point, she hid the infant in a duffel bag in her closet and went about with her normal daily routine,” Barile said during a press conference.
Investigators say Demegillo later went to her local college and performed in a theater production before returning home.
According to officials, she later buried the baby in a shallow grave in her backyard around 10 p.m. that night. Demegillo eventually led investigators to the location where the infant had been buried.
Authorities said the newborn weighed just 3 pounds, 6 ounces.
During questioning, Demegillo reportedly told investigators she was not certain she was pregnant until the birth occurred.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials are asking anyone with information about the case to come forward.
Sheriff’s officials also reminded the public that Florida’s Safe Haven Law allows parents who cannot care for a newborn to legally and safely surrender the baby at a hospital, fire station, or police station without facing criminal charges.
Demegillo made her first court appearance on March 7 and is currently being held without bond.