A 19-year-old Mississippi woman is facing serious legal consequences after being accused of giving birth in her dorm room at the University of Tampa, subsequently causing the death of her newborn and disposing of the body. Brianna Moore has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect resulting in significant bodily harm, according to the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office.
The distressing incident occurred on April 27, when Moore’s dorm mates in McKay Hall reported hearing cries and noticed blood on the bathroom floor. Moore denied being pregnant, attributing the blood to her menstrual cycle. The next day, Moore’s roommates discovered a blood-soaked towel in her trash can, raising further suspicions.
When the police visited for the second time, they found the deceased infant wrapped in a towel. During the police interrogation, Moore confessed to giving birth alone and holding the baby tightly against her until the crying stopped, as per the prosecutors.
According to a police report, Moore allegedly informed officers that she believed the child was dead. After the traumatic event, she took a shower, cleaned the baby with water, and placed her on the bedroom floor before falling asleep. She wrapped the baby in a towel upon waking and finding no signs of life.
An autopsy revealed that the infant died from asphyxia due to torso compression, with fractured ribs and lung hemorrhaging. The death was ruled a homicide. Following her arrest in Mississippi, Moore is awaiting extradition to Florida to face additional charges related to improper handling of human remains and failure to report the death to authorities.
State Attorney Suzy Lopez expressed deep sorrow and urgency regarding the preventable tragedy. She stressed that the newborn might have survived if Moore had sought immediate help, highlighting the resources available for those in distressing situations.
Lopez reminded the public of Florida’s Safe Haven Law, which allows individuals to leave newborns anonymously at designated locations like fire stations or hospitals within 30 days of birth. “This baby’s death was avoidable,” Lopez stated, emphasizing the proximity of such facilities to the University of Tampa’s campus.
During a press conference, Lopez emotionally underscored the closeness of medical and emergency resources: “There’s a fire station right across the street from the university, and Tampa General Hospital is just minutes away by car,” she noted, highlighting the easy access to safe alternatives. Moore’s case serves as a stark reminder of the severe consequences when tragic decisions are made without seeking available support, reigniting discussions about awareness and education regarding state-supported safety nets.