Florida woman gives birth ‘unexpectedly,’ says she thought the baby was dead – but her cell phone search could change everything

A Florida woman initially charged with manslaughter in the death of her newborn is now facing upgraded charges, as investigators say disturbing cell phone evidence, including searches linked to the high-profile Casey Anthony case, could prove critical in court.

On April 6, a grand jury indicted Anne Mae Demegillo, 20, of Palm Coast in Flagler County, on charges of first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated child abuse, and concealing a death following a month-long investigation into the death of her infant daughter a month earlier.

Demegillo was first arrested on March 6 and charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child, authorities said.

However, prosecutors later upgraded the charges after investigators uncovered additional digital evidence from her phone that they say suggests intent and possible premeditation.

Demegillo’s story falls apart

According to the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office, Demegillo told investigators she gave birth unexpectedly at home, delivering the baby in a toilet. She allegedly claimed she believed the infant was dead after the birth and did not seek medical help.

Authorities allege, however, that the newborn was alive and that Demegillo watched the infant struggle before dying. Afterward, she reportedly placed the baby’s body in a bag, went about her day — including attending classes and a theater activity — and later buried the child in a shallow grave in her backyard.

Investigators say the case took a significant turn when they analyzed Demegillo’s cell phone. Detectives found searches related to pregnancy, childbirth, and fertility, including terms such as “newborn premature babies” and “foods to decrease fertility.”

More notably, authorities said her phone contained images and apparent searches about Casey Anthony, the Florida woman acquitted in 2011 of murdering her 2-year-old daughter in one of the nation’s most closely watched criminal trials.

Sheriff Rick Staly said the digital evidence suggests Demegillo may have been researching child deaths and how such cases are investigated, a factor prosecutors could use to argue premeditation.

Anthony and internet searches as evidence

The reference to the Anthony case is particularly significant because that trial also involved controversial internet search evidence, including queries related to suffocation and other topics that prosecutors argued reflected intent.

Demegillo’s attorney has entered a not guilty plea on her behalf and suggested she may have been suffering from severe postpartum mental health issues at the time. As of the latest reports, Demegillo is being held without bond and is scheduled to appear in court for arraignment later this month.

Authorities have also pointed to Florida’s Safe Haven Law, which allows parents to legally surrender newborns at designated locations without facing criminal charges, underscoring what officials describe as a preventable tragedy.

In a press release, Flagler County Sheriff Rick 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.”

via Flagler County Sheriff’s Office