Horrific Florida Tragedy: 2-Year-Old Found in Alligator’s Jaws Just Hours After His Mother Is Brutally Stabbed to Death in Apartment—Father Arrested for Double Murder
St. Petersburg, Florida – A horrifying and deeply unsettling tragedy has rocked the community of St. Petersburg, Florida, after a missing 2-year-old boy was found dead inside an alligator’s mouth, just hours after his mother was discovered fatally stabbed in her apartment. Authorities have identified the child as Taylen Mosley, and his mother, Pashun Jeffery, 20, whose brutal killing and the subsequent discovery of her son have left the community in shock.
A Grisly Discovery
The nightmare began on Thursday, March 30, when concerned relatives contacted law enforcement after being unable to reach Jeffery. Upon arriving at her residence at the Lincoln Shores Apartments, police found a gruesome crime scene—Jeffery had been brutally stabbed multiple times. However, there was no sign of her young son, Taylen.
Authorities immediately launched a frantic search for the missing toddler, fearing the worst. A statewide Amber Alert was issued, with law enforcement officers, search teams, and the community joining forces to locate the child.
Tragic End to Search
After hours of relentless searching, St. Petersburg police officers received a chilling tip that led them to Lake Maggiore, located several miles from the crime scene. Upon arrival, officers spotted an alligator in the water, appearing to be holding an object in its jaws. Tragically, that object was confirmed to be little Taylen’s body.
In a desperate attempt to retrieve the child, officers were forced to shoot the alligator, which was then killed to recover the remains. Authorities later confirmed that Taylen was deceased before he ended up in the lake, though an exact cause of death is still under investigation.
Father Arrested and Charged
Authorities wasted no time in identifying a suspect in the gruesome killings—Thomas Mosley, 21, the child’s father. Investigators allege that after a violent altercation inside the apartment, Mosley stabbed Jeffery to death before taking Taylen and leaving the scene. Evidence, including bloodstains found in his vehicle, placed Mosley at the center of the investigation.
Following the discovery of Taylen’s body, Mosley was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder—one for the brutal killing of Jeffery and another for the death of his son.
Community in Mourning
The horrifying case has shaken St. Petersburg to its core. Family, friends, and members of the local community have gathered in mourning, holding vigils for Jeffery and Taylen. Loved ones describe Pashun Jeffery as a hardworking and devoted mother who adored her child, while Taylen Mosley was remembered as a bright-eyed toddler with a contagious smile.
“This is every mother’s worst nightmare,” said a close family friend. “Pashun was doing everything she could to provide for her baby, and for their lives to be taken in such a cruel, inhumane way is beyond devastating.”
Justice for Pashun and Taylen
As the investigation continues, Mosley remains in police custody and is awaiting trial. Prosecutors have hinted at pursuing the death penalty, given the heinous nature of the crimes. Autopsy results will further determine Taylen’s exact cause of death and whether additional charges may be added.
The heartbreaking loss of a young mother and her innocent child has left Florida, and the nation, in mourning. As the community seeks justice for Pashun and Taylen, their memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved them.