Mother of dead baby found in University of Tampa garbage bin located, police say
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — A baby was found dead on the University of Tampa campus on Sunday night, according to the Tampa Police Department.
A TPD release said officers responded to a report of a dead infant found near McKay Hall. Upon arrival, officers found a newborn girl wrapped in a towel and placed in a garbage bin.
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Early Monday morning, 8 On Your Side’s cameras could make out at least half a dozen TPD officers and their van on campus. Yellow crime scene tape was up, along with floodlights and flashlights as officers investigated.
Entrances to the university were being actively monitored by campus security guards on Monday morning.
Officers said they located the baby’s mother, who was taken to a nearby hospital.
“The loss of a child is always a tragedy,” Chief Lee Bercaw said. “As our department actively investigates this incident, we want all expectant mothers to know there are resources available.”
Tampa police say a medical examiner will determine what cause the baby’s death and what stage of development it was in.
The University of Tampa released the following statement:
The University of Tampa is cooperating with TPD on the investigation and is offering counseling and resources to the campus community.
According to Tampa police, expectant mothers who are in crisis have options to surrender their newborns under the Safe Haven law, which allows mothers to leave a newborn who is 7 days old or younger at any fire station, EMS station, or hospital no questions asked.
If you are a mother in need of help, you can also call the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay at 211, the Florida Department of Health, Maternal & Child Health Section at 850-245-4047, and the National Safe Haven Alliance Hotline at 888-510-BABY (2229).
This is a developing story and may be updated with more details.
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