Body of missing baby girl Taylen Mosley found in alligator’s mouth; father accused, chief says

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) – Police in St. Petersburg, Fla., say a missing child was found in the mouth of an alligator and his father has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.

At a news conference on Friday, Chief Anthony Holloway said officers were investigating the Del Homes Park area when they spotted an alligator with an object in its mouth. The chief said officers fired a bullet at the alligator and he dropped the object.

Officers were later able to recover Taylen’s body intact, Holloway said.

“We’re so sorry it had to end this way,” Holloway said.

According to the chief, Taylen’s mother, Pashun Jeffrey, was killed in nearby Lincoln Shores apartments after being stabbed multiple times.

An AMBER Alert was issued Thursday after Taylen went missing.

Taylen’s father – who has not been named – was previously believed to be a person of interest in the case. On Friday night, the chief said Taylen’s father now faces two charges of first-degree murder.

On Friday afternoon, Holloway told reporters that a trail of blood was seen near Jeffrey’s vehicle.

Holloway said the child’s father showed up at his mother’s home with cuts to his arm at 9 p.m. Wednesday. He was then admitted to hospital.

“Nothing in our investigation leads us to believe he is a victim,” Holloway said.

Holloway said investigators are trying to determine if Taylen died before going into the lake or after.

Here’s a timeline of what we know so far.

Wednesday March 29 – 5:30 p.m.

Pashun Jeffrey and Taylen Mosley were last seen alive by a family member.

Wednesday March 29 – 8:30 p.m.

A neighbor told police they heard a “commotion” coming from the apartment around the time.

Wednesday, March 29 – 9 p.m.

Taylen’s father shows up at his mother’s house with cuts to his hands and arms. He then went to the hospital.

Thursday March 30 – 2:30 p.m.

Family members asked apartment staff for a wellness check on Pashun after they failed to contact her. Pashun’s body was discovered next to “a very violent homicide scene in the apartment”, according to Holloway.

Friday March 31

Officers find Taylen’s body in an alligator’s mouth and charge Taylen’s father with two counts of first-degree murder.