Woman Charged with Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child Following Newborn Death at University of Tampa

Woman Charged with Aggravated Manslaughter of a Child Following Newborn Death at University of Tampa
Categories: News, Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Erin Maloney, Communications Director
Office of the State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
(813) 557-3366 | Erin.Maloney@sao13th.com

 

TAMPA, FL (October 18, 2024) — A former University of Tampa student faces charges of aggravated manslaughter of a child and child neglect with great bodily harm after authorities found her newborn baby in a trash can in April. Brianna Moore, 19, was arrested in her home state of Mississippi and will be extradited back to Hillsborough County to face charges. State Attorney Suzy Lopez will hold a press availability today at 1:15pm in the 3rd Floor Auditorium at the State Attorney’s Office located at 419 N. Pierce St. in Tampa.

Brianna Moore’s roommates reported hearing sounds of a baby crying and finding blood in their shared bathroom at McKay Hall on April 27. They called University of Tampa Campus Safety, who dispatched an ambulance to check on Moore. The suspect denied being pregnant and told an officer the blood in the bathroom was from her period.

The following day, Moore’s roommates found a bloody towel inside of the suspect’s trashcan and called police once again. Authorities discovered the dead newborn completely concealed inside of a towel. When Tampa Police interviewed Moore that day, she admitted to delivering the baby in the bathroom and holding the baby tightly to her body until she stopped crying. She told investigators she placed the baby in a towel and put her in the trashcan.

An autopsy revealed the infant had multiple fractured ribs along her spine and hemorrhaging in her lungs. The Medical Examiner determined the cause of death was asphyxia due to compression of the torso with the manner of death being homicide.

“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. Instead, she took actions that directly lead to the death of her newborn baby. This is a difficult and nuanced case to prosecute, and our community must continue to educate women about the many resources available to them in situations like this one. This baby’s death was avoidable,” said State Attorney Suzy Lopez.

Florida lawmakers recently expanded the state’s Safe Haven laws in July to allow parents to anonymously surrender unwanted newborns up to 30 days after birth without any questions. A parent who has just given birth can surrender a child to medical staff at a hospital or any fire station.

Moore faces a total of four charges including aggravated manslaughter of a child, child neglect with great bodily harm, unlawful storage, preservation or transportation of human remains, and failure to report death to medical examiner or law enforcement.

State Attorney Lopez leads a team of talented prosecutors and professional staff who are responsible for all criminal prosecutions in the 13th Judicial Circuit. The State Attorney’s Office is committed to keeping the public informed about the outcomes of major court cases to ensure transparency and accountability. We believe it is of utmost importance for the public to understand how our justice system operates in order to build trust. To learn more about the outcome of cases prosecuted in our office, you can follow us on social media:

  • Twitter: @HillsboroughSAO, @SuzyLopezSA
  • Instagram: @HillsboroughStateAttorney
  • Facebook: @HillsboroughSAO

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