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.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 8:32 PM EDT2013-05-22 00:32:28 GMT
AP Photo
The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved far-reaching immigration legislation that gives a chance at citizenship to millions living in the country illegally.
The Senate Judiciary Committee has approved far-reaching immigration legislation that gives a chance at citizenship to millions living in the country illegally.
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.
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 5:23 PM EDT2013-05-21 21:23:47 GMT
On Tuesday at about 1:50 a.m., officers with the Brooksville Police Department responded to the Brookhaven Apartments after a report of a Disturbance/Shots Fired complaint.
On Tuesday at about 1:50 a.m., officers with the Brooksville Police Department responded to the Brookhaven Apartments after a report of a Disturbance/Shots Fired complaint.
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
Thursday, May 16 2013 6:00 PM EDT2013-05-16 22:00:27 GMT
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
They went to school on federally-backed student loans and have now defaulted on them to the tune of $111.5 million dollars. That means taxpayers are on the hook for that money. 895 doctors nationwide
Tuesday, May 21 2013 10:17 AM EDT2013-05-21 14:17:59 GMT
Search-and-rescue crews worked through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
Search-and-rescue crews worked through the night after a monstrous tornado barreled through the Oklahoma City suburbs, demolishing an elementary school and reducing homes to piles of splintered wood.
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 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.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 5:05 AM EDT2013-05-21 09:05:01 GMT
Hearing on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, Lindsay Carter took advantage of the advanced warning, gathered her belongings and fled.
Hearing on the radio that a violent storm was approaching her rural Oklahoma neighborhood, Lindsay Carter took advantage of the advanced warning, gathered her belongings and fled.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 2:17 PM EDT2013-05-21 18:17:38 GMT
An employee embezzled more than $56,000 in a course of 13 months from a local company which handles workers compensation claims, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office report.
An employee embezzled more than $56,000 in a course of 13 months from a local company which handles workers compensation claims, according to the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office report.
Tuesday, May 21 2013 4:30 PM EDT2013-05-21 20:30:39 GMT
Steven Vaughan (left) poses with a relative in Bill Murray t-shirts, after claiming $1 million POWERBALL prize at Florida Lottery Headquarters
The Florida Lottery announces that Steven Vaughan, 41, of Seminole, claimed the second $1 million POWERBALL® prize from Saturday night's POWERBALL drawing. The winning numbers from the POWERBALL draw were 10-13-14-22-52,
The Florida Lottery announces that Steven Vaughan, 41, of Seminole, claimed the second $1 million POWERBALL® prize from Saturday night's POWERBALL drawing. The winning numbers from the POWERBALL draw were 10-13-14-22-52,
Monday, May 20 2013 4:56 PM EDT2013-05-20 20:56:18 GMT
The city of Zephyrhills is still getting lots of national attention. But the many media crews and live trucks don't seem to bother the local residents.
The city of Zephyrhills is still getting lots of national attention. But the many media crews and live trucks don't seem to bother the local residents.
