Brianna Moore, a University of Tampa student, faces charges of aggravated manslaughter after her newborn daughter was found dead in a trash bag. Her case raises complex questions about unplanned pregnancies and mental health.
A promising young student at the University of Tampa, Brianna Moore, is now at the center of a tragic and complex case. The 19-year-old freshman has been charged with aggravated manslaughter after her newborn daughter, Amara, was found dead in a trash bag near McKay Hall, just two days after Moore gave birth alone in a campus bathroom.
This is Brianna Moore, a University of Tampa student who was arrested last year for allegedly suffocating her newborn baby in a dorm room bathroom and then threw it in the trash.
Newly released records show that Moore sent text messages about saying that her preferred method of… pic.twitter.com/2MakUJaaAK
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) July 14, 2025
The case has left the community shocked and raised many difficult questions about mental health, unplanned pregnancies, and how society deals with young women who are caught in overwhelming situations.
The Discovery and Initial Report
Brianna Moore, 19, of #Quitman #Mississippi, has been charged with aggravated manslaughter of a child & other counts in the death of her newborn baby at the University of Tampa in Florida
The infant’s body was found wrapped in a towel in a trash can on April 28
An autopsy… pic.twitter.com/pH0AEDGPsf
— True Crime Updates (@TrueCrimeUpdat) October 20, 2024
On the morning of April 27, 2024, Moore gave birth in her shared campus bathroom. According to Moore’s statements, she had no idea she was pregnant and had been in denial about her condition. After experiencing pain and nausea, Moore unexpectedly delivered the baby alone. She claimed she did not initially realize the severity of the situation, as the baby briefly cried but then stopped moving. She attempted to clean up the bathroom, leaving the baby on a towel before returning to check on her later. When Moore realized the baby wasn’t moving, she panicked and sought help.
Welcome back, Spartans! Have a great first day of classes! pic.twitter.com/ln7uK5KQoS
— The University of Tampa (@UofTampa) January 21, 2025
It wasn’t until her roommates and a friend discovered the baby wrapped in a towel and placed in a trash bag that the authorities were called. The medical examiner later determined the cause of death to be asphyxia caused by compression of the torso, with broken ribs and small hemorrhages in the lungs, ruling the death a homicide.
Brianna Moore’s Confusion and Denial
In her interviews with detectives, Moore appeared confused and in disbelief when asked about the baby. She admitted to having missed her period since the previous March and had briefly considered the possibility of pregnancy, but had dismissed the idea due to her lack of weight gain. Despite physical changes, including a visible bump that others noticed, Moore insisted she did not realize she was expecting.
Investigators later discovered text messages from September 2023 in which Moore discussed abortion and contraceptive pills with a friend. While Moore’s attorney argues that these texts were unrelated to her pregnancy, they have been used by the prosecution as evidence to build their case.
Psychological and Emotional Struggles
Experts in mental health suggest that Moore might have experienced a condition known as cryptic pregnancy, where a person remains unaware or in denial about their pregnancy. She showed signs of dissociation during labor, overwhelmed by fear, shame, and confusion. Moore later expressed guilt over her actions, stating that she should have gone to the hospital when she started feeling unwell. Still, she struggled to acknowledge the severity of the situation, which might have influenced her response to the birth.
Despite the complexity of her mental state, questions remain about her actions after the baby’s death. Moore’s failure to seek immediate medical attention and the decision to place the baby in a trash bag have left many wondering whether she truly understood the gravity of her situation.
The Impact of Unplanned Pregnancy and Mental Health
The case has raised difficult questions about unplanned pregnancies and the emotional toll they take on young women. Moore, once a high-achieving student with a bright future, now faces charges that could result in up to 30 years in prison. The prosecution argues that Moore’s text messages discussing abortion pills and her subsequent actions after the birth suggest a lack of remorse and a calculated approach to the situation. However, Moore’s defense attorney insists that she did not know she was pregnant until the moment of the birth, and the text messages were part of a broader conversation about legal birth control options.
Background and Trial
Before the tragic events, Moore had a promising academic career. She had been awarded a $30,000 scholarship to study marine biology at the University of Tampa, and her academic history indicated that she was a high-achieving student. Originally from Mississippi, Moore attended a prestigious school for gifted students and had the support of her family.
As her trial approaches, the public is left grappling with the many layers of this case—one that intertwines mental health, unplanned pregnancy, and the legal and emotional consequences that follow. Brianna Moore’s future, once filled with promise, now hangs in the balance as she faces charges in the death of her newborn.
