The Absence of Support
A Palm Coast woman was arrested earlier this month and accused of giving birth in a toilet and allowing the infant to drown before burying the body in the backyard.
Anne Mae Demegillo, 20, was arrested on a charge of aggravated manslaughter of a child, but was released after posting a $250,000 bond on March 12. She is being accused of waiting for her newborn daughter to drown in a toilet and then disposing of her body in the backyard. Per reports from the sheriff’s office, the baby was breathing and crying but Demegillo allowed her to drown. She then placed the body in a duffle bag and attended class and participated in a play at New Smyrna Beach. After she returned around 11 p.m., she buried the baby in a shallow grave in the backyard of her home.
Demegillo was reported to the police after sending a series of alarming text messages that led to the investigation that resulted in her arrest.
Demegillo is just the recent in a string of several high-profile cases of newborn abandonment or infanticide. Most often these cases involve young mothers that conceal their pregnancies, give birth alone, and subsequently dispose of the infant.
In January of 2023, Alexee Trevizo was charged with first-degree murder after she allegedly gave birth in a hospital bathroom and placed the infant in a trashcan and returned to her room. The autopsy report determined that her child had in fact been born alive.
On the other hand, many areas in the U.S. are experiencing an increase in safe surrenders. In 2025, South Carolina saw a record high number of infants surrendered safely under “Daniel’s Law.” A law which allows for the legal and anonymous surrender of an unharmed infant, up to 60 days old, at an designated safe location. Daniel’s Law was signed into law in 2001 after an infant boy survived being buried at a landfill in Allendale County.
Florida’s Safe Haven law also allows parents to anonymously surrender an unharmed newborn, up to 30 days old, at any safe location or by calling 911. The law provides immunity from prosecution for abandonment if the child shows no signs of abuse. Safe locations include, fire stations, EMS stations, and hospitals that are staffed 24/7.
Safe Haven Baby Boxes take this opportunity to ensure the safety of children to the next level. Since 2016, SHBB have ensured an anonymous and secure option for parents to surrender their newborns. Equipped with innovative safety features, the Safe Haven Baby Box allows a parent to safely surrender their child in a secure, climate-controlled box that will trigger an immediate response from emergency or medical personnel who can quickly retrieve the baby, ensuring their protection. A 24-hour crisis hotline is also available for provide more information at 1-866-99BABY1.
A Safe Haven Baby Box is a vital resource for every community that provides a way out for parents experiencing a crisis and ensures the life of a child. There are currently eleven locations in the state of Florida.
In the absence of such resources and support, there is a danger that infants will continue to experience abandonment and harm.
1. Crestview Fire Station – 321 Woodruff Avenue, Crestview
2. Chiefland Fire Department – 16 NE 1st Street, Chiefland
3. Newberry Fire Station #28 – 310 NW 250th Street, Newberry
4. Bronson Fire Department – 655 North Hathaway Avenue, Bronson
5. Marion County Fire Station #2 – 2189 NE 180th Lane Citra
6. MLK First Responder Campus – 505 NW MLK Jr. Avenue, Ocala
7. Marion County Fire Rescue – 1400 SW 6th Avenue, Ocala
8. Citrus County Fire Rescue – 800 N. Rock Crusher Road, Crystal River
9. Hernando County Fire Department – 3445 Bob Hartung Court, Spring Hill
10. Collier County EMS – Logan 790 Logan Boulevard, North Naples
11. Palm Coast Fire Department – 1250 Belle Terre Parkway, Palm Coast
To learn more about Safe Haven Baby Boxes visit the link below.
