Authorities charge 19-year-old student with manslaughter after discovering baby’s body in dorm trash
A 19-year-old college student at the University of Tampa has been charged after allegedly giving birth in her dorm room, killing the newborn, and leaving the body in a trash can. Brianna Moore faces charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child, child neglect, failure to report a death, and unlawful storage of human remains, according to Florida authorities.
Roommates reported baby cries, blood in the dorm
The incident began on April 27, when Moore’s roommates reported hearing a baby crying and later found blood in their dorm room. According to WFLA, when campus police arrived, Moore denied being pregnant and attributed the blood to her menstrual cycle.
However, the next day, the roommates discovered a bloodied towel in Moore’s trash can and contacted the police again. Upon further investigation, officers found the body of a deceased baby girl wrapped in a towel inside the trash can.
Autopsy reveals fractured ribs and hemorrhaging
An autopsy revealed that the newborn had suffered multiple fractured ribs and internal hemorrhaging. Prosecutors stated that Moore admitted to giving birth in the dorm’s bathroom. She reportedly held the baby tightly against her body until the child stopped crying.
Moore explained that after the baby stopped crying, she felt for a heartbeat but assumed the infant had already died. She said she placed the baby on a towel, cleaned her with water, and then fell asleep for an hour. When she awoke, Moore claimed the baby showed no signs of life. She then wrapped the infant in a towel, placed her in the trash can, and went back to sleep.
Legal consequences and extradition
Moore was arrested on Friday in Mississippi and is awaiting extradition to Hillsborough County, Florida, where she will face trial.
“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 in a statement. “Instead, she took actions that directly led to the death of her newborn baby.”
The tragic incident has raised questions about the mental and emotional state of Moore at the time, as well as the potential pressures young mothers face when dealing with unplanned pregnancies while in college. The case continues to unfold as authorities pursue justice for the infant.