Pregnant woman found dead next to car in Tampa as her toddler son slept in car seat

TAMPA, Fla. (TCD) -- Police are investigating a homicide after a young woman was found dead next to her car on a residential street while her young son remained inside the vehicle.

According to the Tampa Police Department, on Monday, Jan. 23, at approximately 10 p.m., officers went to the 10700 block of Pictorial Park Drive in New Tampa after receiving a call about a deceased woman on the ground. Police located the woman, who was in her 20s, and said she suffered "upper body trauma."

Tampa Police also said they found a male toddler sleeping in his car seat in the back of a Ford EcoSport SUV. The little boy was not harmed and is in a relative’s custody. Investigators do not believe the victim lived in the neighborhood where she was found.

The Tampa Bay Times identified the victim as 22-year-old Alana Sims and said she was five months pregnant.

Tampa Bay Interim Police Chief Lee Barcaw told the Tampa Bay Times, "We don’t believe it was random and we’re following up on a lot of leads right now. The offense in itself is gut-wrenching and I feel for the family and the community and even the officers who go out and respond to those types of calls."

Sims reportedly lived in Carrollwood, which isn’t particularly close to New Tampa.

Alana’s mother, Shahlevi Sims, said of her daughter, "She no longer clubbed, she no longer went out to bars, she just loved spending time with her son."

Shahlevi told the Tampa Bay Times, "She would do anything for you, always going out of her way. She never said no."

MORE:

• Homicide investigation in New Tampa - Tampa Police Department
• Pregnant mother found dead in New Tampa was caring and lovable, her mom says - Tampa Bay Times