Police found the body of a newborn baby girl wrapped in a towel and thrown in a trash can on the campus of the University of Tampa in Florida on Sunday.
According to the Tampa Police Department (TPD), the infant was found near McKay Hall around 7 p.m. after receiving a report that the infant had died. Officers also found the child’s mother and transported her to a nearby hospital, Fox 13 News reported. report.
Police Chief Lee Bercow said: “The loss of a child is always a tragedy.” “Our department is actively investigating this incident and we want all pregnant women to know there are resources available.”
The Tampa Police Department released the following statement:
The Tampa Police Department is reminding the community that Florida has a safe evacuation law that requires a parent to transport an unharmed newborn baby up to 7 days old to a fire department, EMS station, or full-time emergency medical technician. Anonymous handovers are allowed to be handed over anonymously to a hospital staffed by emergency personnel or emergency personnel. , or firefighters. Unless the newborn shows signs of abuse or neglect, no questions will be asked and no charges will be filed if the newborn is surrendered under the Safe Refuge Act.
Tampa police are investigating after the body of an infant was found on the campus of the University of Tampa. https://t.co/kmhVpsJE2e
— Spectrum News 13 (@MyNews13) April 29, 2024
The TPD forensics team was spotted near McKay Hall, a dormitory for first-year students in the middle of campus, according to the report. Students reportedly received a Campus Alert text message around midnight notifying them of a search near their dormitory and advising them to avoid the area.
The medical examiner’s office plans to perform an autopsy to determine cause of death and developmental stage of baby, Spectrum News 13 report.
“No information about the mother has been released. No word has been released as to whether charges have been filed,” the report states.
University of Tampa Said WFLA said it is “cooperating with TPD regarding the investigation and is providing counseling and resources to the campus community.”
