Body Of Taylen Mosley Found; Father Charged With Murder

UPDATED: 9:55 P.M. FRIDAY

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The body of two-year-old Taylen Mosley has been found. Meanwhile, his father has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in connection with the case, police said Friday night.

The St. Petersburg Police Department made the announcement during an 8:15 p.m. press conference. Earlier in the day, they named Mosley's father, Thomas Mosley, a "person of interest" in the case, the St. Petersburg Police Department wrote in a Friday morning Facebook post.

"It’s with great sadness that we report we found the body of Taylen Mosley in Lake Maggiore," Police Chief Anthony Holloway said.

The boy’s body was found in an alligator’s mouth near Dell Holmes Park in St. Petersburg, the Tampa Bay Times reported. An officer saw the alligator with something in its jaws, fired a shot at the alligator and the object was released.

Police then determined it was the Taylen’s body.

The toddler's father, Thomas Mosley, is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Taylen and his mother, Pashun Jeffery.

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Jeffery, 20, was found dead in her unit at Lincoln Shores Apartments, 11601 4th Street N., Thursday around 2:30 p.m. An Amber Alert was then issued for her two-year-old son, Taylen Mosley, who was missing from the apartment.

• Also Read: Mother's Body Found, Missing Toddler May Be In Danger: St. Pete Police

The boy's father is hospitalized with cuts on his hands and arms, Holloway said during a Friday afternoon news conference, according to WESH.

“Nothing in our investigation leads us to believe that he is a victim,” the chief said.

Investigators aren't sure how he was injured and he refused to speak with investigators, reports said.

Overnight, detectives followed up on leads about where the child might be, but didn't find him.

A dive team with St. Pete Fire Rescue searched retention ponds near the apartment complex on Friday, police said.

Jeffery and Taylen were last seen by her family on Wednesday around 5:30 p.m. Her mother was suspicious when she didn't hear from her daughter Thursday morning, because she normally calls daily, according to Fox 13.

Her family asked a manager at the apartment complex to check on her Thursday when they couldn’t reach her. The staff member found the young mother’s body in her apartment.

A neighbor heard noises coming from the apartment Wednesday around 8:30 p.m., but didn't report it to police until after her body was found, reports said.

Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact SPPD at 727-893-7780.

An award of up to $5,000 is being offered for information about this investigation. To remain anonymous and eligible for a reward, contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS or www.crimestoppersofpinellas.org.