Missing Florida toddler found inside alligator's mouth after mother stabbed to death

A 2-year-old missing boy was found in the mouth of an alligator days after his mother was stabbed to death in St. Petersburg, Florida. The toddler’s father was charged with two counts of first-degree murder. 

Taylan Mosey, 2, was reported missing on Thursday afternoon, after authorities found his mother, Pashun Jeffery, 20, dead in her apartment at around 2:30 p.m., police spokesperson Yolanda Fernandez said in a press release, Jeffery was found with over 100 stab wounds. 

An investigation and a search were launched by local, state, and federal agencies to find the child. The search for the missing boy led police to Lake Maggiore, next to Dell Holmes Park. Police officers noticed an alligator in the area with a suspicious object in its mouth, according to St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway. 

Authorities decided to shoot towards the alligator's direction, causing it to drop what it was holding in its mouth. When they approached the object, they noticed it was the body of Taylan. 

According to Holloway, Taylan’s body was recovered intact and the alligator was killed. The death of the toddler has not yet been determined. 

"It is with great sadness that I have to tell you that we found the body of Taylen Mosley. My condolences to his family," Holloway said.

"We didn't want to find him this way," Holloway added. "But at least we can bring some closure to that family."

Taylan’s father, Thomas Mosley, 21, was taken into custody and is facing two first-degree murder charges, one for Jeffery and one for Taylen.

Mosley is currently in the hospital receiving treatment for injuries he received on the day of the murder. According to an arrest affidavit, he received the wounds to his hands and arms by slipping during the knife attack.