A newborn infant was found abandoned and dead in a garbage bin at a Florida university campus, sparking a police investigation on Monday.
According to the Tampa Police Department, an investigation was launched to determine what happened after the baby was found Sunday night at the University of Tampa.
According to the National Safe Haven Alliance, a non-profit organization aimed at "providing safe alternatives for women and parents to prevent harm or even death of babies," 31 babies were placed in dumpsters, found in backpacks, or discarded in other dangerous locations; 22 of these infants were found deceased and 73 babies were saved by Safe Haven laws in 2021.
The police responded to a report about a dead infant near McKay Hall, a dorm building on the east side of the university's campus that houses 160 students, shortly before 7 p.m. Officers arrived at the campus and found the body of a newborn girl wrapped in a towel inside a garbage bin, according to the Tampa police news release emailed to Newsweek.
"The loss of a child is always a tragedy. As our department actively investigates this incident, we want all expectant mothers to know there are resources available," Tampa Police Chief Lee Bercaw said in a statement.
Newsweek has reached out to the Tampa Police Department via email for comment.
According to police, the body of the infant has since been transported to the Medical Examiner's office for autopsy in an effort to determine the cause of death and developmental stage as the investigation is underway.
In addition, police said the mother of the child was also located and transported to a nearby hospital.
Meanwhile, the University of Tampa sent a text alert at 11:41 p.m. on Sunday about the investigation stating, "There is currently an active TPD investigation in the McKay Hall area" and to "avoid the marked areas."
"There is no danger to the University community," the alert added.
In addition, the university released a brief statement on Monday stating they will be cooperating with the investigation.
"The University is cooperating with TPD on the investigation and is offering counseling and resources to the campus community," the university statement said.
While the investigation continues, Tampa police have advised the community that the state has a Safe Haven law, which allows parents to anonymously surrender an unharmed newborn infant seven days old or younger to any fire station, EMS station or hospital staffed by full-time emergency medical technicians, paramedics, or firefighters.
"The Tampa Police Department reminds the community that Florida has a Safe Haven Law...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," Bercaw said.
The investigation comes after the Florida Legislature passed a bill earlier this year that would increase the age limit for a parent to surrender an infant to 30 days old. While the bill has not yet been signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, it will automatically become law on July 1 unless he vetoes it.
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