FLORIDA — A 20-year-old woman is facing aggravated manslaughter charges after deputies say she gave birth to a baby at home and later buried the newborn in her backyard.
According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, deputies discovered the baby Friday morning after responding to a welfare check at a home near the intersection of Florida Park Drive and Forest Hill Drive in Palm Coast.
Investigators said Anne Mae Demegillo gave birth to the baby in the bathroom of the home. Deputies say the newborn was alive and crying at the time of birth, but Demegillo allegedly watched the baby die.
Authorities said Demegillo later placed the baby in a duffel bag and stored it in a closet before attending a theater performance at her college.
The situation came to light after another person called 911 and reported that Demegillo had told them she had been secretly pregnant, gave birth and did something to the baby.
Deputies said the newborn weighed less than four pounds and appears to have died from abandonment.
Demegillo told investigators she did not know she was pregnant until she went to the bathroom and gave birth. Deputies said the baby eventually stopped crying and moving.
Officials also said Demegillo’s mother was home at the time of the birth.
Demegillo is currently being detained and charged with aggravated manslaughter. Authorities said the investigation remains ongoing.
