A 19-year-old woman was arrested and charged for a newborn death at the University of Tampa.
The former University of Tampa student faces charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect with great bodily harm after authorities found her newborn baby in a trash can in April.
The U.S. Marshals Task Force, working in partnership with The Tampa Police Department, arrested 19-year-old Brianna Moore in connection with the death of an infant found at the University of Tampa on April 28, 2024.
The Central Florida investigation began when university safety employees were alerted to a possible miscarriage on campus property. Further investigation led to the discovery of the deceased infant, who was later identified as the suspect’s child. An autopsy determined that the infant died as a result of asphyxia and multiple rib fractures. The manner of death was ruled as a homicide.
According to the State Attorney, Brianna Moore’s roommates reported hearing sounds of a baby crying and finding blood in their shared bathroom at McKay Hall on April 27th. They called University of Tampa Campus Safety, who dispatched an ambulance to check on Moore. The suspect denied being pregnant and told an officer the blood in the bathroom was from her period.
The following day, Moore’s roommates found a bloody towel inside of the suspect’s trashcan and called police once again. Authorities discovered the dead newborn completely concealed inside of a towel. When Tampa Police interviewed Moore that day, she admitted to delivering the baby in the bathroom and holding the baby tightly to her body until she stopped crying. She told investigators she placed the baby in a towel and put her in the trashcan.
An autopsy revealed the infant had multiple fractured ribs along her spine and hemorrhaging in her lungs. The Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was asphyxia due to compression of the torso with the manner of death being homicide.
“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,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez. “Instead, she took actions that directly lead 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.”
Florida lawmakers recently expanded the state’s Safe Haven laws in July to allow parents to anonymously surrender unwanted newborns up to 30 days after birth without any questions. A parent who has just given birth can surrender a child to medical staff at a hospital or any fire station.
There will be no questions asked, and no charges will be filed for surrendering a newborn under the Safe Haven Law unless the infant has signs of abuse or neglect.
If you are an expectant mother facing difficult circumstances, some resources include:
- The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay: Dial 211
- Florida Department of Health, Maternal & Child Health Section: 850.245.4047
- The National Safe Haven Alliance Hotline: 888.510.BABY (2229)
Moore was arrested on October 18, 2024, in Quitman, Mississippi, and charged with Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child, Child Neglect with Great Bodily Harm, Failure to Report Death, and Unlawful Storage of Human Remains. Moore was held at Lauderdale County (MS) Jail, before her extradition back to Tampa.
Moore faces a total of four charges including aggravated manslaughter of a child, child neglect with great bodily harm, unlawful storage, preservation or transportation of human remains, and failure to report death to medical examiner or law enforcement.
