College student charged in newborn death had Casey Anthony images on phone, police say
Key Takeaways
- It has been reported that Anne Demegillo, 20, has been indicted on first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated child abuse and related counts after authorities say a newborn was found buried at her Palm Coast home.
- Investigators say images of Casey Anthony and internet searches about newborns and fertility were found on her phone; details of the alleged actions — including that she watched the infant drown — have been described in a police affidavit.
- If a noncitizen is convicted of murder or an aggravated felony, they face near-certain deportation and loss of most immigration relief; arrests alone do not automatically trigger deportation but can lead to visa problems and detention.
- Immigrants charged with serious crimes should secure both criminal defense counsel and an immigration attorney because pleas and convictions carry separate, lasting immigration consequences.
Case and charges
It has been reported that 20-year-old Anne Demegillo gave birth in a toilet at her Palm Coast, Fla., home on March 5 and that the infant later was found buried in the backyard. According to a law enforcement affidavit, Demegillo allegedly watched the newborn cry and go under in the toilet, wrapped the child in a blanket, stored the body in a duffel bag in her closet, performed in a school play and later buried the infant. A grand jury has indicted her on first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated child abuse and failure to report a death with intent to conceal evidence; she remained in custody on no bail ahead of an April 21 arraignment. Grand juries are panels that determine whether there is probable cause to charge someone with a crime.
Investigative detail and public reaction
Flagler County sheriff’s investigators said images of Casey Anthony — the Florida woman whose child’s death drew national attention in 2008 — were found on Demegillo’s phone, and that the device also contained searches for terms such as “newborn premature babies” and “foods to decrease fertility.” These are investigatory findings described in the affidavit and have not been litigated in court; therefore, they should be considered allegations. The sheriff called the case shocking; local coverage has focused on both the criminal facts and the broader community impact in Palm Coast, a city of roughly 106,000 people.
Immigration implications and what this means for immigrants
The story raises distinct questions for immigrants because criminal convictions and immigration status are handled separately. If a noncitizen is convicted of murder, that conviction is classified under federal law as an aggravated felony — a category (8 U.S.C. §1101(a)(43)) that makes a person removable (deportable) and bars most forms of relief, including asylum and adjustment to lawful permanent resident status. Agencies involved could include ICE (U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services), the latter of which adjudicates visas, green cards and naturalization applications. An arrest by local police does not automatically mean ICE will take custody, but serious charges can prompt immigration consequences: visa revocation, detention on an ICE hold, or denial of future immigration benefits.
If you are a noncitizen facing criminal charges, consult both a criminal defense attorney and an immigration attorney before making decisions about pleas or statements; pleas that resolve criminal cases can trigger immediate immigration penalties. If you are an international student or visa-holder, notify your school’s international student office and, if applicable, your consulate. For people watching from immigrant communities, this case underscores how criminal and immigration systems can intersect and the importance of coordinated legal representation.
Source: Original Article