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Search continues for missing toddler after mother found dead; father now person of interest

Amber Alert issued for Taylen Mosley of St. Petersburg, divers searching area

Missing child (WJXT)

PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. – Law enforcement agencies across the state continue to search Friday for a 2-year-old boy after his mother was found dead Thursday in her St. Petersburg apartment, according to a report from WFLA.

An Amber Alert issued for Taylen Mosley at 5:39 p.m. Thursday said the boy was last seen on 4th Street North in St. Petersburg.

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The WFLA report said 20-year-old Pashun Jeffrey, the boy’s mother, was murdered at the Lincoln Shores Apartments on 4th Street North.

Taylen is described as a Black male, with brown hair and brown eyes, about 2 feet tall and weighing about 30 pounds.

WFLA reported Thursday that the police said the toddler is not with his father. Police confirmed that Friday, saying they have spoken with the father, who has not been identified, and he is considered a person of interest.

According to WFLA, a neighbor reported that they heard a “commotion” coming from the apartment around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, and that family members asked for a welfare check on Jeffrey at 2:30 p.m. Thursday. That’s when her body was discovered.

St. Petersburg Police Chief Anthony Holloway called it “a very violent homicide scene in the apartment,” WFLA said.

“It’s so important. This child’s life is hanging in the balance here,” St. Pete police spokesperson Yolanda Fernandez said in a news conference Friday. “We need to know he’s OK. We need to find him.”

St. Pete Fire Rescue dive teams were called to search nearby bodies of water Friday morning.

Anyone with information should immediately contact the St. Petersburg Police Department at 727-892-7780 or the FDLE at 1-888-FL MISSING(1-888-356-4774).