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A former University of Kentucky athlete has been indicted on charges including first-degree manslaughter, following the discovery of her newborn son’s body in a closet last year.
The accused, 21-year-old Laken Snelling, who was part of the university’s stunt team, allegedly concealed the birth and placed the infant’s remains in a closet. Authorities reported her arrest by the Lexington Police Department on August 31.
Police had initially responded to a call on August 20 regarding an unresponsive infant. Upon arrival, they found the baby deceased, wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag, as stated by the police department.
Snelling has been formally charged with first-degree manslaughter after her newborn’s body was discovered hidden in a closet. (Image: Getty Images; UK Athletics)
“The grand jury was provided with information regarding the various levels of homicide and concluded that first-degree manslaughter was the appropriate charge,” explained Fayette Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird to WKYT.
Snelling told staff at the University of Kentucky hospital that she heard the newborn “whimper” at birth and “guessed” he was alive, according to an affidavit previously cited by FOX56. The baby also showed “a little fetal movement,” the court document stated.
Snelling allegedly told police she was awake for nearly 30 minutes after delivering the baby before passing out on top of him. When she woke up, she saw the newborn “turning blue and purple,” according to the affidavit.
School officials confirmed Laken Snelling was a senior at the University of Kentucky. (Getty Images)
On Monday, a Fayette County grand jury indicted Snelling on first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant, WKYT reported.
Police found the infant inside a trash bag in a closet and cold to the touch, court records said. Snelling believed the baby was dead and “wrapped him like a burrito” and lay next to him, saying it “gave her comfort,” officials said.
Her roommates texted each other after hearing loud noises, according to the affidavit. Snelling allegedly told them she was going to see a doctor because she had fainted from not eating. Afterward, she picked up McDonald’s and went to the student health clinic but “did not go inside,” the affidavit stated.
A subsequent search of Snelling’s phone revealed she had deleted labor photos and evidence of the pregnancy, police said.
Police took snelling into custody on Aug. 31. (Laken Snelling/Facebook and Fayette County Detention Center)
Snelling was initially charged with tampering with physical evidence, concealing the birth of an infant and abuse of a corpse. She has pleaded not guilty to those charges.
At the time of her arrest, a UK spokesperson confirmed Snelling was a senior at the university, WKYT reported.