Florida Police Call Off Search for 2-Year-Old Boy, Taylen Mosley, After His Body Was Found in an Alligator’s Mouth

The St. Petersburg Police Department is calling off the search for a 2-year-old boy, Taylen Mosley, after his body was found in an alligator’s mouth in Lake Maggiore on March 31. The search commenced the day prior after the boy’s mother, Pashun Jeffery, was found stabbed to death in her home on March 30.

Upon finding Jeffery in her apartment, police officers launched a homicide investigation and search for Taylen – who lived with his mother. The boy’s father, Thomas Mosley, was listed as the primary suspect a few hours after Jeffery’s body was discovered in what was described as a ‘very violent’ crime scene. 

On March 31, around the same time Taylen’s body was discovered, Thomas Mosley was arrested by St. Petersburg police officers. He is being charged with two counts of first-degree murder – one count for stabbing his baby’s mother and one count for the death of his son. He was taken to Pinellas County Jail. 

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According to a statement posted to the St. Petersburg Police Department’s official Facebook, a major search for Taylen Mosley began on March 30. They confirmed all of the department’s resources were being utilized during the search and they were receiving help from local, state, and federal agencies. 

The three primary points of interest in the search were Dell Holmes Park, 2741 22nd Street South, and Lake Maggiore. They spent the entire day searching the three areas and were aided by volunteers in the community. While searching Lake Maggiore, they were alerted by an alligator with something in its mouth. 

“The alligator was killed in order to retrieve the body, confirmed as that of Taylen Mosley. The medical examiner will determine what caused his death,” the statement read. At this time, it’s unclear if it was the alligator that killed the child or if the child was already dead by the time the alligator got to him. 

“It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that we found the body of Taylen Mosley. My condolences to his family,” said St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway. He thanked the community for their tireless efforts in the search for Taylen, as well as all the local, state, and federal agencies that helped. 

More Details Released in the Murder of Taylen Mosley and His Mother

An arrest affidavit is providing more chilling details into the murder of Taylen Mosley and his mother, Pashun Jeffery. While the investigation is still ongoing and the true extent of the murders is unclear, police initially believe Taylen was thrown into the lake by his father moments after he stabbed his girlfriend. 

The affidavit also details that Jeffery was stabbed nearly 100 times after she threw a party for Thomas Mosley. She was left in the bathroom, where her apartment manager discovered her. After the two murders, Thomas admitted himself into a nearby hospital with lacerations on his hands and arms. 

The child’s grandmother and great aunt – also the mother and aunt of Jeffery – started a GoFundMe to help pay for funeral costs and arrangements. A service for the mother-son duo is being held on April 7. As of now, the GoFundMe has raised more than $35,000 of their $50,000 goal – more than 800 donations. 

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“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,” the GoFundMe reads.