A tragic discovery was made at the University of Tampa on Sunday evening when police found a deceased newborn wrapped in a towel and discarded in a garbage bin near McKay Hall.

The Tampa Police Department responded to the scene around 7 p.m., where they found the infant and soon located the child’s mother, a student at the university. She was promptly taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention.

Chief Lee Bercaw of the Tampa Police Department expressed deep sorrow over the incident. "The loss of a child is always a tragedy," he stated, emphasizing that the department is conducting a thorough investigation and reminding the community of the support available to expectant mothers.

Forensic teams were active at the site late into Sunday night, gathering evidence near the freshman residence hall. The university responded to the situation by sending out a campus-wide text alert just before midnight, advising students to avoid the area but reassuring them there was no threat to their safety.

The Tampa Police Department also issued a reminder about Florida's Safe Haven Law in their statement regarding the incident. This law allows parents to anonymously surrender a newborn seven days old or younger to any fire station, EMS station, or hospital staffed with full-time emergency personnel. The law ensures that parents can do so without facing inquiry or charges, provided the baby has not been harmed or neglected.

Nick Silverio, founder of A Safe Haven for Newborns, spoke on the matter, emphasizing the importance of awareness about the state's Safe Haven Law and the resources available to struggling mothers. His organization offers a variety of services at no cost, including confidential counseling, shelter provisions, temporary motel stays, assistance with transportation for medical appointments, and help in connecting with Medicaid. These services aim to support mothers confidentially and safely, allowing them to place their newborn in the arms of a designated safe haven staff member. Silverio expressed heartbreak over the incident, highlighting the critical need for such services to prevent future tragedies.