A former University of Kentucky cheerleader is now facing a far more serious criminal charge after investigators determined her newborn baby was alive at birth before dying shortly afterward.
Laken Snelling, 21, was indicted this week by a Fayette County grand jury on a charge of first-degree manslaughter following the death of her infant son in August. According to prosecutors, the charge came after the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office concluded the baby had been born alive and died from asphyxia by undetermined means, according to details reported by the New York Post and local outlets.
Snelling had initially been charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. She pleaded not guilty to those charges and had been under house arrest at her family’s home in Tennessee.
Authorities say the events unfolded during the early morning hours of August 27, when Snelling gave birth in her off-campus residence in Lexington. According to investigators, roommates had suspected she might be hiding a pregnancy and reported hearing unusual noises coming from her bedroom around 4 a.m.
After the birth, prosecutors say Snelling cleaned up blood in the room, showered, and left the house, skipping classes and a planned visit to the campus clinic. She reportedly went to McDonald’s while her roommates remained at the home.
While she was gone, the roommates entered her room and discovered a blood-soaked towel and signs that a birth had occurred. They then found the newborn inside a black plastic bag in a closet and immediately called 911, telling dispatchers the baby felt cold to the touch.
When Snelling returned home later that day, police were already at the scene and arrested her.
Investigators say Snelling initially told officers the baby had fallen to the floor during the birth and that she believed he was not breathing. She later said she had passed out on top of the baby and woke to find him turning blue.
However, court documents indicate she also told medical staff that the baby had shown movement and made a faint sound after birth, suggesting he may have been alive for some time.
Police say investigators also discovered that Snelling took photographs during labor and later deleted them, allegedly attempting to conceal evidence of the birth.
The manslaughter charge significantly increases the potential penalties in the case. If convicted, Snelling could face up to 20 years in prison, along with additional time tied to the other charges.
Following her arrest, Snelling withdrew from the University of Kentucky and is no longer part of the school’s STUNT cheerleading team.
Prosecutors say the case now moves forward in court as investigators continue examining the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
