TAMPA, Fla. — An arrest has been made in the death of a baby that was found on the University of Tampa's campus back in April this year.
In a news release, the Tampa Police Department said the U.S. Marshals Task Force arrested 19-year-old Brianna Moore on Friday 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 is currently held at Lauderdale County (MS) Jail, pending extradition back to Tampa.
In a separate release, Hillsborough County State Attorney Susan Lopez offered the following statement:
“It breaks my heart to know that this baby girl could still be alive today if this woman had alerted authorities that she needed help. Instead, she took actions that directly led to the death of her newborn baby. This is a difficult and nuanced case to prosecute, and our community must continue to educate women about the many resources available to them in situations like this one. This baby’s death was avoidable."
In a press conference held the day Moore was arrested, Lopez offered more thoughts on the case, saying it "kept her up at night."
"I've been a prosecutor for more than 20 years in my own hometown... this is a case that I struggled with," Lopez said. "This involved a newborn baby that wasn't even given a chance to live."
Lopez added that she will make sure Moore is held accountable for the death of her baby, as she could have alerted authorities that she needed help.
"For crying out loud, there's a fire station across the street from the University of Tampa," Lopez said, appearing to hold back tears. "Tampa General Hospital is a mere two to three minutes away by car."
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.
