Read the latest report on this case: St. Pete mother stabbed over 100 times before toddler thrown in lake: affidavit
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (WFLA) — St. Petersburg police announced that Taylen Mosley’s body was found in an alligator’s mouth and his father has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder.
“It is my condolences going out to the family and to his loved ones,” said St. Pete Police Chief Anthony Holloway.
During a news conference on Friday evening, Holloway said officers were investigating the area of Dell Holmes Park when they spotted an alligator with something in its mouth in Lake Maggiore.
The chief said officers fired one round at the alligator and it dropped the object.
Holloway said officers were then able to retrieve Taylen’s body intact.
“We are so sorry that it had to end this way,” Holloway said.
Holloway said that Taylen’s mother, Pashun Jeffrey, was killed at Lincoln Shores Apartments, located at 11601 4th Street North. She was stabbed multiple times.
“We didn’t want to find him this way,” Holloway said. “But at least we can bring some closure to that family now.”
An AMBER Alert was issued on Thursday after Taylen disappeared.
Taylen’s father, Thomas Mosley, was previously deemed a person of interest in the case. On Friday evening, the chief said Taylen’s father is now facing two charges of first-degree murder.
On Friday afternoon, Holloway told reporters that a blood trail was seen near Jeffrey’s vehicle.
Holloway said Thomas Mosley showed up at his mother’s home with cuts on his arm at 9 p.m. Wednesday. He admitted himself to a hospital afterward.
“Nothing in our investigation leads us to believe that he is a victim,” Holloway said.
Holloway said investigators are trying to figure out if Taylen died before he went into the lake or after.
Earlier Friday, family of both victims spoke about mother and son.
“He’s always calling his mom on his cell phone,” said Lakita Denson. “He miss his mom, they calling each other all the time. She really loved Taylen.”
“We just want to say that Taylen is a beautiful little boy,” added Theo Brickhouse-Sails. “He’s really loving and caring.”
Here is 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 at around this time.
Wednesday, March 29 – 9:00 p.m.
Taylen’s father shows up at his mother’s house with cuts on his hands and arms. He went to a hospital afterward.
Thursday, March 30 – 2:30 p.m.
Family members asked apartment staff for a welfare check on Pashun after they failed to get in touch with her. Pashun’s body was discovered alongside “a very violent homicide scene in the apartment,” according to St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway.
Friday, March 31
Officers find Taylen’s body in the mouth of an alligator and charge Taylen’s father with two counts of first-degree murder.
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