Kentucky Student Accused of Concealing Dead Newborn

A former student-athlete from Kentucky, Laken Snelling, is facing serious accusations after allegedly hiding a deceased newborn in her closet. In court documents, it has been suggested that Snelling, 21, heard a “whisper” when the baby was born, which adds a rather eerie twist to the events surrounding the case.

Snelling was apprehended by local police on August 31 after they received a report concerning an unresponsive infant. The authorities declared the baby dead at the scene. During her time at the University of Kentucky Hospital, Snelling reportedly claimed the newborn exhibited “a little fetal movement,” according to the affidavit.

Police discovered the infant in a garbage bag within the confines of the closet, and, distressingly, the baby was cold to the touch.

Autopsy Findings Add Complexity to the Case

After the incident, Snelling’s roommates communicated with one another, alerting each other to an unusual noise. It appears Snelling had mentioned to one of her roommates that she would see a doctor because she had become unresponsive due to not eating properly.

Details from the affidavit indicate that after delivering the baby, Snelling had consciousness for about 30 minutes. When she eventually awoke, she observed the newborn boy appearing “blue and purple.” In a moment of tragic misunderstanding, she believed the baby was dead and reportedly wrapped him up snugly, likening it to “wrapping him like a burrito” for comfort.

Further Investigations Reveal Deleted Evidence

In subsequent investigations, police found Snelling had erased images from her phone that depicted her labor and indicated evidence of pregnancy. She is now facing charges for tampering with physical evidence, concealing the birth of an infant, and abuse of a corpse. Snelling has pleaded not guilty to these charges.

As the case unfolds, questions linger regarding the actions and mindset of those involved. The situation is undoubtedly tragic, not only for the individuals but also for their families and the community.