Florida Father Charged With Murder After Body of Missing 2-Year-Old Son Found in Alligator

A Florida man is facing multiple murder charges after police found the body of his missing son inside the jaws of an alligator. 

NBC Miami reports Thomas Mosley, 21, has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder in the killing of the boy’s mother, 20-year-old Pashun Jeffery, and their 2-year-old son Taylen Mosley.

St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway told reporters on Friday that Taylen, who was reported missing earlier this week, was discovered in the mouth of an alligator in a local recreation area.

“As the detectives got closer they fired one round to the alligator,” Holloway said. “The alligator dropped the object that he had in his mouth and we were able to retrieve Taylen’s body intact.”

The search for Taylen began after police discovered his mother brutally murdered inside of her apartment on Thursday at the Lincoln Shores Apartment Complex on Fourth Street North. 

Various local, state and federal agencies joined forces to search for Taylen, whose body was ultimately discovered in an alligator’s mouth. Authorities, who were able to retrieve Taylen’s body, aren’t sure if the alligator played a role in his death. The animal was eventually killed.

Mosley is currently in police custody, however he has yet to share his side of the story with law enforcement.

“The father is not talking to us,” Holloway said.