A 2-year-old boy whose physique was discovered within the jaws of an alligator in Florida had been drowned by his father, who additionally killed the kid’s mom, the authorities stated on Monday.
Taylen Mosley’s physique was present in Lake Maggiore in St. Petersburg, Fla., on March 31, a day after he was reported lacking. His mom, Pashun Jeffery, was discovered lifeless on March 30 with stab wounds.
On March 31, Thomas Mosley, 21, was charged with two counts of first-degree homicide within the deaths of Ms. Jeffery and their youngster, the St. Petersburg Police Department stated. Mr. Mosley was being held on the Pinellas County Jail.
The police stated on Monday that the Pinellas County health worker had confirmed the reason for dying as drowning.
Citing “the extremely serious allegations,” Skylar Alexander, a spokesman for the Public Defender’s Office of the Sixth Judicial Circuit in Clearwater, Fla., stated in an announcement that “our investigation is currently focused on gathering information about the facts and circumstances of the case, as well as our client’s mental state.”
“While the cause of death of Taylen Mosley has been released to the media, we have not received the full autopsy report to review,” Mr. Alexander stated. “The investigation on both sides is ongoing and we continue to receive and evaluate all of the information we are provided.”
A seek for the boy started after his mom was discovered stabbed to dying in her residence and included an Amber Alert, the police stated.
Ms. Jeffery’s relations grew involved when she didn’t reply a each day FaceTime name. They went to the residence the place she had been dwelling for a few month and noticed blood on the sidewalk outdoors.
Managers of the residence complicated who entered her unit described it as “a very violent crime scene,” in accordance with an affidavit.
The seek for the toddler concluded the following day on the lake in Dell Holmes Park, about 4 miles southwest of downtown St. Petersburg. Detectives shot and killed an alligator with “an object,” later recognized because the boy’s physique, in its mouth.
Ms. Jeffery labored at a close-by CVS and would commonly discuss with Taylen on FaceTime throughout her breaks, in accordance with a GoFundMe publish written by her household.
“We will miss her smile, joyous laughter and commentary on life,” the household stated. “Taylen was a sweet and happy toddler and loved his mom.”
A funeral was held for Ms. Jeffery and Taylen on April 7.
“Pashun looked so beautiful, and Taylen was cool with his sunglasses on,” the household stated. “It was a long and difficult day, but the support from our families and friends and the greater community made it possible to push through.”
Source: www.nytimes.com