Infant Found With Dead Body In Temple Terrace; Tampa Man Charged

TEMPLE TERRACE, FL — The Hillsborough County Medical Examiner's Office has ruled a death that occurred on Feb. 28 at the Avenue Apartments in Temple Terrace a homicide and the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office has arrested Thomas Edwards Sapp, 52, of Temple Street in Tampa for the crime.

Around 9:30 p.m., sheriff's deputies responded to The Avenue Apartments in the 9100 block of Ave Club Drive to check on the welfare of a resident. When deputies entered the apartment, they found a person dead and an infant unharmed.

"As hard as it is for our detectives, deputies and CSIs to investigate any death, it is especially heartbreaking when a child is involved. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family and friends impacted," said Sheriff Chad Chronister.

"I am grateful for the hard work and collaboration between our detectives and the medical examiner's office to quickly determine the cause of death and arrest the person responsible," said Chronister. "We are grateful to report that the infant found on that horrible night is safe thanks to the efforts of the Hillsborough Child Protective Services."

Sapp is facing charges of first-degree premeditated murder, sexual battery and child neglect. He remains in the Falkenburg Road Jail on $502,000 bail.