By Micheal Chukwuebuka, Reporting
AUTHORITIES in Tampa reportedly found a dead baby wrapped in a towel and discarded in a garbage bin near a dorm at the University of Tampa.
According to the Tampa Police Department, officers located a dead baby wrapped in a towel and placed in a garbage bin near McKay Hall on Sunday night.
FOX 11, Los Angeles, in the early hours of Tuesday, reported that Tampa Police Department located the child’s mother, who police said is a UT student, and took her to a nearby hospital.
“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,” said Chief Lee Bercaw.
Stonix News reports that just before midnight, students received a campus alert text message warning students of the investigation near McKay Hall, telling them to avoid the area, and assuring them there was no threat to the university community.
The Tampa Police Department released the following statement on the incident:
“The Tampa Police Department reminds the community that Florida 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.
“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.”
Nick Silverio, the founder of A Safe Haven for Newborns, said he hopes incidents like this put the spotlight on the state’s Safe Haven Law and the help available for struggling new and prospective mothers.
“We provide so many services that are offered at no cost to help the moms confidentially with counseling, shelters, maternity homes, providing temporary motel stays, if that’s the case.
“Help with abuse issues with transportation services, taking to medical appointments and connecting to Medicaid, also in the partnership with the hospitals and the fire departments of placing the newborn in the arms of a staff member at a designated safe haven location. So it just absolutely breaks our heart,” said Silverio.
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