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Teen pleads not guilty months after her baby was found dead on University of Tampa's campus

Brianna Moore is expected to be arraigned Wednesday morning, Nov. 13.

TAMPA, Fla. — A 19-year-old is accused of manslaughter after her newborn baby was found dead on the University of Tampa's campus back in April this year.

Now, new court documents say that Brianna Moore has written a plea of not guilty and is expected to be arraigned Wednesday morning. Moore reportedly put in the written plea on Friday, Nov. 8.

The U.S. Marshals Task Force arrested Moore on Friday, Oct. 18 in Quitman, Mississippi. She is facing numerous charges, including aggravated manslaughter of a child and failure to report a death.

On April 28, 2024, police said they were called to the campus near McKay Hall at the university. When they arrived, they reportedly found a newborn baby girl wrapped in a towel and put in a garbage bin, according to a previous release.

As the investigation continued, police said they were eventually able to identify Moore as the baby's mother. An autopsy determined that the child died from asphyxia and multiple rib fractures. 

The child's death was ultimately ruled a homicide, leading to Moore's arrest. She was originally held at Lauderdale County (MS) Jail before she was moved to Hillsborough County Jail, according to court documents.

Florida has a Safe Haven Law, allowing parents to anonymously surrender an unharmed newborn 30 days or younger to any fire station, EMS station or hospital with an emergency room. 

Expectant mothers facing difficult circumstances can find help through the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay by calling 211, the Florida Department of Health, Maternal & Child Health Section at 850-245-4047 and the National Safe Haven Alliance Hotline by calling 888-510-2229. 

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