Inset: Anne Mae Demegillo (Flagler County Sheriff”s Office). Background: Cops investigate after Demegillo allegedly gave birth to a baby in a toilet and watched her drown (WOFL).
A 20-year-old woman from Florida is facing serious charges after allegedly delivering a baby and allowing the newborn to drown in a toilet before carrying on with her day, which included acting in a college theater production.
Anne Mae Demegillo, aged 20, has been charged with aggravated child manslaughter, as reported by the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office. Officers were alerted around 4 a.m. on Friday for a welfare check after a 911 call revealed that Demegillo had communicated to the caller about an unexpected birth at her residence.
The caller informed authorities that the baby was born alive and crying, but Demegillo allegedly did something to the infant. Upon the deputies’ arrival, Demegillo explained she was uncertain about her pregnancy and had started experiencing intense abdominal pain early that morning.
According to her statement, she delivered the baby into the toilet and claimed the child was lifeless. However, investigators later confirmed that the baby was indeed born alive, and Demegillo allegedly allowed the newborn to drown.
Subsequently, Demegillo reportedly placed the infant in a duffel bag, concealed it in a closet, and proceeded to perform in a play titled “Anything Goes” in New Smyrna Beach, where she played the role of “Virtue.”
After returning to her home, she allegedly wrapped the baby in a blanket and buried the infant in a shallow grave in the backyard, according to police reports.
“At no point did Demegillo contact emergency services for assistance,” cops wrote.
Chief Deputy Joseph Barile told reporters at a press conference that the baby girl weighed about 3 pounds and 6 ounces and was around 18 inches long.
Barile was asked about the suspect’s demeanor during her interview with cops.
“Oddly calm,” he said. “I watched some of the interview and I didn’t see any remorse.”
Authorities noted that Demegillo could have dropped the baby off at a hospital or fire station — no questions asked.
“This is a heartbreaking tragedy for our community, for the family involved, and an emotionally difficult case for our team,” Sheriff Rick Staly said in a statement. “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.”
