Deceased toddler found inside of alligator’s mouth in Florida, dad suspected of murder

The devastating search for 2-year-old Taylen Mosley came to a tragic conclusion on Friday when St. Petersburg police found the toddler’s lifeless body.

Police Chief Anthony Holloway announced that search crews discovered the child’s remains inside an alligator’s jaws in Lake Maggiore, approximately 13 miles from the mother’s apartment near Dell Holmes Park.

In connection with the case, the boy’s father is now facing two counts of first-degree murder. The young father has been identified as 21-year-old Thomas Mosley

The child’s body was found intact, and officers killed the alligator. An official autopsy will determine the exact cause of the toddler’s death as the investigation continues.

Holloway also revealed that the 2-year-old’s mother had been discovered with multiple stab wounds in her apartment on Thursday. The father was considered a person of interest as law enforcement officials searched for the missing child.

Holloway outlined the timeline leading up to the 20-year-old mother, Pashun Jeffery’s death, and the last time anyone saw Taylen.

Thomas Mosley arrived at his mother’s home with cuts on his arms and hands on Wednesday night. He later admitted himself to St. Anthony’s Hospital in St. Pete for his injuries, where he remains.

At that time, Mosley wasn’t facing charges and refused to speak with the police.

An AMBER Alert was issued for Taylen, and a $5,000 reward was offered for information leading to the child’s whereabouts. The investigation began when officers responded to Jeffery’s family expressed concerns about the 20-year-old.

Jeffery’s family members described her as a young woman with a bright future and urged the community to pray for them as they mourned her loss and hoped for Taylen’s safe return.

Dive teams from St. Pete Fire Rescue, Clearwater Fire Rescue, Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office, and Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue searched ponds and lakes near the St. Pete apartment for hours in their quest to locate the 2-year-old.