Ex-Kentucky student athlete charged in baby’s death heard ‘whimper’ before hiding him in closet: officials

The ex-University of Kentucky student-athlete who’s accused of hiding her dead newborn inside a closet heard the infant “whimper” before hiding him inside a closet, according to new court documents.

Laken Snelling, 21, was taken into custody by Lexington Police Department officers on Aug. 31 after they responded to a call regarding an unresponsive infant, officials said. The baby was “pronounced deceased at the scene,” according to police.

Snelling told staff at the University of Kentucky hospital that she heard the newborn “whimper” at birth and “guessed” he was alive, an affidavit stated, according to FOX56. According to the court document, Snelling’s baby also showed “a little fetal movement.”

Police reportedly found the baby inside a trash bag located in a closet and was cold to the touch, the document revealed.

University of Kentucky student Laken Snelling was arrested on Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. (Getty Images; UK Athletics)

She believed the baby was dead and “wrapped him like a burrito” and laid next to him, saying it “gave her comfort,” according to officials.

Pedestrians walk along Rose Street on the University of Kentucky campus in Lexington, Ky., on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Getty Images)

A subsequent search of Snelling’s phone revealed that she had deleted labor photos and evidence of the pregnancy, police said.

Snelling was charged with tampering with physical evidence, concealing the birth of an infant and abuse of a corpse. She has pleaded not guilty.

Fox News Digital reached out to Snelling’s lawyer for comment.