TAMPA, Fla. — Tampa police continue to investigate after a newborn was found dead on the University of Tampa campus.
The investigation began just before 7 p.m. on April 28. Police said they were called to the campus near McKay Hall at the university. When they arrived, they reportedly found a newborn baby girl — she had been wrapped in a towel and put in a garbage bin, the release said.
Police said they were able to find the infant's mother and take her to a nearby hospital.
The newborn's body was taken to the medical examiner's office for autopsy to determine how the baby died and how developed the baby was at birth and death.
"The loss of a child is always a tragedy," Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement. "As our department actively investigates this incident, we want all expectant mothers to know there are resources available."
In a statement to 10 Tampa Bay, the university officials said they are cooperating with the Tampa Police Department and are "offering counseling and resources to the campus community."
Florida has a Safe Haven Law, which allows parents to anonymously surrender an "unharmed" newborn under seven days old to any fire station, EMS station or hospital that is staffed with full-time emergency medical personnel or paramedics.
No charges will be filed against the person surrendering the infant unless there are signs of abuse or neglect.
Tampa police provided a few resources that can help expectant mothers, including the following:
- The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay: Dial 211
- Florida Department of Health, Maternal and Child Health Section: 850-245-4047
- The National Safe Haven Alliance Hotline: 888-510-BABY (2229)
Since its inception 23 years ago, nonprofit organization A Safe Haven for Newborns has helped save more than 400 children who have been surrendered by parents.
"Safe Haven aims to help a mom have a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby and to keep her baby and if that's not the case, we offer a wide range of services at all at no cost at all," says founder Nick Silverio.
"If a mom can't keep her babies, she has no support, no resources or doesn't want to keep that child, she doesn't have to leave that baby in an unsafe place often not surviving. That baby can be placed in a safe haven and placed for adoption" Silverio adds, who calls the investigation heartbreaking.
TPD also highlights the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay as a resource for anyone going through a tough situation.
"If you're just looking for emotional support, you want to talk to someone, you want to see what resources are out there. 211 will get you through to us," says Eric Bledsoe, the center's director of gateway services.
"We're there to help you out with whatever you need, even if it's just another ear on the other side of the line to provide you that empathy and validation for your feelings," Bledsoe added.