When firefighters opened the front door to get the newspaper, they found a dead baby wrapped in a towel on the door step.
The baby, discovered about 7:20 a.m. Friday, still had the umbilical cord attached to her.
"This is a newborn, infant girl who was left outside in cold temperatures," said Clearwater Public Safety spokesperson, Elizabeth Watts. "We don't know what condition the baby was left in."
Under Florida's Safe Haven law, a baby who is seven days old or younger, can be turned over to an employee at a fire station or other designated location.
"You need to physically hand the baby over to someone, and in this case, that was not done," said Watts.
Clearwater police say that did not happen in this case. Investigators are trying to figure out what time the baby was dropped off and whether she was alive when they left her. There were no outward signs of foul play.
By Florida Safe Haven law; you can leave a baby, up to seven days old, with an employee at any hospital, emergency medical services station or with a fire fighter at any fire station in Florida. City officials said in Friday's case, firefighters were never alerted about the child at the door.
Neighbors speculated why someone would have dropped a newborn off and left her in the cold.
"They're scared or they just don't care," said Shirley Mixon. "It just breaks my heart to see anyone leave a child that way."
An autopsy is being conducted to determine cause and time of death. Police are also reviewing surveillance video to see if they can get any leads that way.
Clearwater detectives are also asking for the public's help. If anyone knows of a woman who was recently pregnant, is now no longer pregnant and does not have a baby, they should contact Clearwater Police.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:53 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:53:43 GMT
A wealthy Sarasota retiree was tired of air travel options in Sarasota, so he decided to fix the problem the only way he knew how- he's starting 'Sunrise Airlines.'
A wealthy Sarasota retiree was tired of air travel options in Sarasota, so he decided to fix the problem the only way he knew how- he's starting 'Sunrise Airlines.'
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:45 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:45:43 GMT
Did 78 year old Audrey Mulligan die as a result of her injuries from a sexual assault, or did she die of other health issues? That's at the crux of the murder trial underway in Pinellas County this week.
Did 78 year old Audrey Mulligan die as a result of her injuries from a sexual assault, or did she die of other health issues? That's at the crux of the murder trial underway in Pinellas County this week.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 4:28 PM EDT2013-05-22 20:28:45 GMT
Two Seffner homes next to a deadly sinkhole are slated for demolition. Work crews and heavy equipment arrived on Faithway Drive early Wednesday morning.
Two Seffner homes next to a deadly sinkhole are slated for demolition. Work crews and heavy equipment arrived on Faithway Drive early Wednesday morning.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 3:46 PM EDT2013-05-22 19:46:56 GMT
Allyssa Marie Atkinson
Winter Haven Police are asking for the public's help in locating 16-year-old Allyssa Marie Atkinson after she went missing on Monday. Police officials say on Monday at approximately 11:44 a.m., Allyssa
Winter Haven Police are asking for the public's help in locating 16-year-old Allyssa Marie Atkinson after she went missing on Monday. Police officials say on Monday at approximately 11:44 a.m., Allyssa
Wednesday, May 22 2013 2:50 PM EDT2013-05-22 18:50:34 GMT
An abandoned U-Haul trailer at a Publix parking lot in Spring Hill attracted attention of Pasco County Code Enforcement officials Tuesday because they thought it might be full of cats and dogs.
An abandoned U-Haul trailer at a Publix parking lot in Spring Hill attracted attention of Pasco County Code Enforcement officials Tuesday because they thought it might be full of cats and dogs.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:30:01 GMT
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance. But under new legislation awaiting the signature of Governor Rick Scott it could
The Obridge Academy is a virtual school with a virtual Florida headquarters and a virtual track record of performance.
Monday, May 20 2013 5:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 21:56:22 GMT
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
The weather is getting warm in the bay area and pest control experts say it's bringing out dry wood termites. "The phones are ringing off the hook now because the termites are swarming," said exterminator
Friday, May 17 2013 7:36 AM EDT2013-05-17 11:36:31 GMT
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
As the news of Angelina Jolie brings awareness to the fight against breast cancer there is a major medical breakthrough thanks to a nationwide study with the largest number of participants at USF.
Friday, May 17 2013 5:00 AM EDT2013-05-17 09:00:46 GMT
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Teacher supplies can be very expensive. Ask any teacher they will tell you it's true. A couple of local educators are doing their best to help cut the cost for the tools teachers use in the classroom. Adrianne
Friday, May 17 2013 4:58 PM EDT2013-05-17 20:58:08 GMT
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
The 'Great May Giveaway' is underway. Now through May 24, you have a chance to win tablets, tickets and more! All this week we're giving away an Apple iPad mini , every weekday morning.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:08 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:08:53 GMT
The Chicago Health Department's new teen pregnancy prevention campaign is sparking conversation. The new campaign features teenage boys shirtless and pregnant. "The ads are currently displayed on public
The Chicago Health Department's new teen pregnancy prevention campaign is sparking conversation. The new campaign features teenage boys shirtless and pregnant. "The ads are currently displayed on public
Wednesday, May 22 2013 9:41 AM EDT2013-05-22 13:41:12 GMT
A fire that broke early Wednesday morning at Manhattan Palms condominium in North Tampa left eight families on the street and closed North Manhattan Avenue between Sligh and Waters Avenue.
A fire that broke early Wednesday morning at Manhattan Palms condominium in North Tampa left eight families on the street and closed North Manhattan Avenue between Sligh and Waters Avenue.
Wednesday, May 22 2013 12:30 PM EDT2013-05-22 16:30:57 GMT
A man being questioned by authorities in the Boston bombing probe was fatally shot when he initiated a violent confrontation, FBI officials said Wednesday.
A man being questioned by authorities in the Boston bombing probe was fatally shot when he initiated a violent confrontation, FBI officials said Wednesday.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:53 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:53:22 GMT
The state admits it dropped the ball, but 51 year old Wes Diebold lost his license over a 2 dollar mistake.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Looking for a job is tough enough these days but how much tougher does having a suspended driver's license make things? 51 year old Wes Diebold doesn't know for sure if his suspended license was a roadblock.
Monday, May 20 2013 7:17 PM EDT2013-05-20 23:17:06 GMT
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Sleep experts estimate one in three people will suffer from insomnia at some point in their life. For those suffering from insomnia, it turns out, there's an app for that.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 6:40 PM EDT2013-05-21 22:40:44 GMT
Tuesday around 10:00 a.m. a Mack dump truck traveling southbound on I-75 just south of State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel traveled into the direct path of a 2012 Hyundai.
Tuesday around 10:00 a.m. a Mack dump truck traveling southbound on I-75 just south of State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel traveled into the direct path of a 2012 Hyundai.
