The search for a missing Florida toddler ended this past weekend when police found the child in the jaws of an alligator. Taylen Mosley, 2, was the subject of an Amber Alert on Thursday after officials discovered his mother stabbed to death, per ABC6. The child’s father, Thomas Mosley, faces two counts of first-degree murder for Taylen and Pashun Jeffery‘s deaths.
Taylen Mosley has been found deceased. Rest In Peace. 💔 pic.twitter.com/fjf11FDoqm
— Rose (@901Lulu) April 1, 2023
Thomas is being held without bond in Pinellas County Jail as of March 31. The 21-year-old has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges via a public defender.
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An arrest affidavit obtained by Buzzfeed News says Pashun’s family visited her and Taylen at their apartment for Thomas’ birthday celebration on Wednesday (March 29). The Pinellas County arrest record indicates his birthday was the same day.
The 20-year-old mother and toddler were last seen alive at about 5:20 p.m., per St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway. Though neighbors reported hearing loud noises from the apartment at about 8:30 p.m., no one called the police.
#stpetepd Chief Holloway said It’s with great sadness that we report we found the body of Taylen Mosley in Lake Maggiore. His father Thomas Mosley is charged with 2 counts of 1st degree murder. pic.twitter.com/I1hsIj0UAw
— St. Pete Police (@StPetePD) April 1, 2023
Police Found Child’s Mother With Over 100 Stab Wounds
At her family’s request, police conducted a wellness check on Pashun on Thursday. However, they found a bloody homicide scene and the missing toddler. Described as a “very violent” scene by officials, Pashun’s body had over “100 wounds.” Following the discovery, officials issued an alert for Taylen.
Another woman and her son taken away too soon in a senseless act of domestic violence. I am sure Pashun Jeffrey was already scared for her and her son’s life. The cycle must be broken. What would cause a man to do something like this?! I will never understand. #TaylenMosley pic.twitter.com/gXhoQj8mut
— Rose (@901Lulu) April 1, 2023
As officials combed the surrounding areas, officers spotted an alligator inside Lake Maggiore holding something in its mouth. Police shot the alligator, killing it and forcing it to loosen its jaws. After retrieving the body, they identified the child as Taylen Mosley.
Officials transported him to the medical examiner’s office to determine the cause of death. Police made the discovery near Dell Holmes Park, about 13 miles from where the child lived with his mother.
“This was her first month to have lived here, and very happy to have a better place than what she had before,” Pashun’s great-aunt Theo Brickhouse-Sails said at a Friday press conference. “And for a 20-year-old, she was doing well. She wanted more out of life.”
The child’s father became a suspect after checking himself into a hospital on Wednesday night, per the police chief. Thomas’ wounds–cuts on his hands and arms–correlated to a knife slipping during an attack, per the arrest affidavit. He reportedly refused to speak to investigators in the hospital and requested a lawyer.
Investigators believe the father left Pashun’s apartment at about 8:42 p.m. and threw or placed the toddler in the lake. Then, he went to his mother’s house about ten blocks away before checking into the hospital.
Yikes. 21 year old Thomas Mosley charged with two counts of first degree murder in the deaths of Taylen and his mother, Pashun. She had been stabbed multiple times when found. His eyes are horrific. #TaylenMosley St. Petersburg, Florida pic.twitter.com/zHVNkmkr87
— Rose (@901Lulu) April 1, 2023
What Police Found At The Crime Scene
At the apartment, police discovered a bottle of cleaning solution with a bloody fingerprint tucked under Pashun’s bed. The print matched Thomas. Additionally, they found a bloody shoe print with a Gucci logo in the bathroom where Pashun’s dead body was. However, the police have not specified the print’s tie to Thomas.
A GoFundMe spearheaded by Pashun’s mother and great aunt Theo has surpassed its $30,000 goal with over 670 donors. The fundraiser was initially started to help with the search for Taylen. The family says the money will be used for the mother and son’s funeral arrangements.
Pashun’s family described a loving relationship between the young mother and toddler in the fundraiser.
“Taylen was a sweet and happy toddler and loved his mom. During Pashun’s work breaks, she would facetime so that she could spend every moment possible with him. During the day, Taylen would grab anyone’s phone and pretend to call his mom. To see them together and their love for each other was a blessing. We will remember their love and will keep them in our hearts.”
