A missing Florida boy whose mother was murdered was found dead in the mouth of an alligator, Bay News 9 reports.
Police late Friday announced that they had located 2-year-old Taylen Mosley, who had not been seen since Wednesday.
Officers were investigating the child’s disappearance at Lake Maggiore in St. Petersburg when they observed an alligator with an apparent object in its mouth. Police shot the alligator and it let go of the object, which turned out to be the toddler.
“We were able to retrieve Taylen’s body intact,” St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway told reporters at a press conference, according to Bay News 9.
The lake is six miles from the apartment complex where Taylen lived with his mother, 20-year-old Pashun Jeffrey, who was found dead on Thursday.
Family members last saw the boy and his mother around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday. By Thursday afternoon, when loved ones had not heard from Jeffrey, they went to check on her and discovered her body.
Taylen was nowhere to be found, prompting authorities to issue a statewide Amber Alert, according to FOX 13. Neighbors have reported hearing noises from Jeffrey’s apartment on Wednesday evening.
The boy’s father, 21-year-old Thomas Mosley, faces two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of his son and Jeffrey, who was found with multiple stab wounds. Mosley has reportedly declined to talk with investigators.
Holloway, the police chief, said he hopes the recovery of Taylen’s body will help his family heal.
“We didn’t want to find him this way,” Holloway told reporters, according to WFLA-TV. “But at least we can bring some closure to that family now.”
To report information about the case, call St. Petersburg Police at 727-893-7780.
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[Feature Photo: Police Handout]
