Florida Woman Allegedly Let Newborn Drown in Toilet — Then Performed On Stage in Local Theater

A woman from Florida allegedly gave birth in the bathroom at her home and watched the newborn drown in the toilet. She then disposed off the body and left to perform at a local theater show on March 5.

A 20-year-old college student in Florida, identified as Anne Mae Demegillo, allegedly gave birth at home in a toilet and watched her newborn die. She then placed the infant's body in a duffel bag and left it in a closet in her home before going to perform at a local theater show the same day, on March 5.

Demegillo, who lived in Palm Coast in Flagler County, was arrested on March 6 and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, according to records from the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office.

At a press conference held on March 6 by the Flagler County Sheriff's Office, Flagler County Chief Deputy Jeo Barile said the Flagler County Emergency Communication Centre received a call at around 4 a.m. on March 6 from someone requesting a welfare check on an adult female.

“The caller informed the operators that Anne Mae Demegillo had sent messages to the caller saying that she had secretly been pregnant, and unexpectedly gave birth at home,” Barile said during the press conference.

Officers arrived at Demegillo’s home later that morning, where Demegillo confirmed she had delivered a baby. She told officers she gave birth in the bathroom of her home on March 5 and said that the newborn cried initially, but eventually stopped moving.

“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 the press conference. Barile said Demegillo later went to her local college and performed in a theater production before returning home.

Demegillo was arrested on March 6.

Barile told reporters he was shocked by the woman's apparent lack of concern for the infant. “It baffles me to be completely honest, sometimes you can’t explain everything,” Barile said.

Demegillo also told officers she buried the infant in a shallow grave in the backyard at about 10 p.m. on March 5, Barile said. Demegillo allegedly told investigators she was not certain she was pregnant until she gave birth. When asked, she led officers to the location where the infant was buried.

Barile, said the investigation was ongoing and urged anyone with information to come forward and contact authorities. He also reminded the public that under Florida’s Safe Heaven law, parents who cannot care for a newborn can safely surrender the child to any fire station, hospital or police station, without facing legal consequences.