Florida authorities say that the body of a 2-year-old boy has been found in the mouth of an alligator. The boy’s father, Thomas Mosley, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of his son and wife.
The St. Petersburg Police Department posted about the sad discovery on Facebook, saying:
Taylen Mosley Found Deceased
This evening, the body of missing two-year-old Taylen Mosley was found in Lake Maggiore. Tonight, Chief Holloway confirmed the bad news, “It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that we found the body of Taylen Mosley. My condolences to his family.”
All search efforts for the weekend are canceled.
The child had been missing since his 20- year-old mother, Pashun Jeffery, was found stabbed to death in her St. Petersburg apartment Thursday afternoon, March 30th.
A major search was launched using all the Department’s resources and the assistance of many local, state and federal agencies.
The investigation led detectives to search Dell Holmes Park, 2741 22nd Street South, and Lake Maggiore. After spending all day searching the area, this evening officers were alerted to an alligator seen with something in its mouth. The alligator was killed in order to retrieve the body, confirmed as that of Taylen Mosley. The medical examiner will determine what caused his death.
Tonight, Chief Holloway announced that Taylen’s father, Thomas Mosley is charged with two counts of 1st-degree murder for the death of Pashun Jeffery and of his son, Taylen Mosley.
The detectives and officers of the St. Petersburg Police Department worked tirelessly on this case. The Department would like to thank all of the agencies that assisted in this investigation. The dive teams of St. Petersburg Fire Rescue, Clearwater Fire Rescue, PCSO and Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue searched the ponds and lakes near the apartment complex. Sunstar assisted, Search and Rescue of Central Florida searched with cadaver dogs, and FWC assisted with the alligator. We would especially like to thank the FBI and FDLE for lending their resources in this important investigation.
Chief Holloway would also like all of the many volunteers who planned to join us Saturday morning searching for Taylen. Unfortunately, their assistance is no longer needed.
That post came after the police department asked the community for help in finding Taylen, posting:
Anyone who would like to assist in the ground search for missing 2-year-old Taylen Mosley, please gather at 8 a.m., Saturday, at the tent in the Winn Dixie parking lot, 11100 4th Street North.
Volunteers will be assigned teams with officers and given instructions on where to search.
Wear comfortable shoes, and bring hats, sunscreen, and water bottles.
The department also asked the community for information on the whereabouts of Taylen and his mother before both were found dead, saying:
St. Petersburg detectives are seeking the public’s help for information about the death of 20-year-old Pashun Jeffery and whereabouts of her missing two-year-old son, Taylen Mosley.
At about 2:30 p.m. Thursday, 03/30/23, police discovered Jeffery’s body in her apartment at Lincoln Shores Apts., 11601 4th St. N. Her two-year-old son, Taylen, was missing from the residence, and he could be in danger.
Anyone with information about this investigation, who wishes to remain anonymous, is eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.00. Please contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS or www.crimestoppersofpinellas.org
Featured image credit: St. Petersburg Police Department Facebook Post
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