Mother’s Body Found, Missing Toddler May Be In Danger: St. Pete Police

Updated: 9:14 p.m., Thursday

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A mother was killed at a St. Petersburg apartment complex and her two-year-old son has been missing since at least Thursday afternoon, possibly in danger, authorities said.

Pashun Jeffery, 20, was found dead in her unit at Lincoln Shores Apartments, 11601 4th Street N., around 2:30 p.m., according to a St. Petersburg Police Department news release.

An Amber Alert was issued for her son, Taylen Mosley, and a search is underway for the toddler.

“I can tell you it was a very violent homicide scene within the apartment,” Chief Anthony Holloway said, NBC News reported. “But we could not find the 2-year-old. So right now, that’s our main concern — is to try and find Taylen.”

Police said the child isn’t with his father or any other family member, according to reports.

“No family member has [Taylen] that we can find. Even though we are investigating her murder, our first priority is to find Taylen,” Yolanda Fernandez, SPPD’s public information manager, told WFLA.

Jeffery’s family last saw her and the boy on Wednesday. They 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, reports said.

Officers searched a blue Nissan sedan in the apartment complex parking lot, removing items from the car, the Tampa Bay Times reported. They also searched a pond near Jeffery’s apartment and hauled away a trash dumpster to look through for evidence.

The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit brought a bloodhound to help with the search for the boy. Drones and helicopters are also being used in the search.

Anyone with information about Taylen’s whereabouts is asked to contact SPPD at 727-893-7780.