Authorities in Kentucky report that cheerleader Laken Snelling took several selfies while secretly giving birth to her baby.
Investigators found her phone contained various photos, including “pictures of her at work and activities typically not associated with pregnancy,” as noted in documents obtained by People Magazine.
The affidavit indicates that images from her labor were deleted in an attempt to conceal the birth. Officials suspect that more photos might have been permanently removed before her arrest.
In the affidavit, it was claimed that after the birth, Snelling placed the baby in a garbage bag and even stopped by McDonald’s. The circumstances surrounding the baby’s death remain unclear.
Snelling’s roommate reportedly heard unusual noises from her room the night before the discovery. Upon investigation, she found “a bloody towel on the floor and a plastic bag related to the birth.” Emergency services were called, but by then, the situation had escalated.
Initially, Snelling told authorities that the baby fell on the floor at birth and believed it was not “breathing or alive.” However, she had woken up around 7:30 a.m., put the baby in a garbage bag, and proceeded to shower and clean up, even placing the placenta in a ziplock bag, before attending her morning classes and going to McDonald’s.
Later, in a conversation with medical staff, she indicated that the newborn did exhibit “a little fetal movement” and “whispered” after delivery, according to court sources.
As stated in the affidavit, it was reported that she filmed parts of the birth, which were deleted to hide evidence of her actions. Snelling faces charges for concealing the birth of a child, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse.
After her initial court appearance, Snelling withdrew from her school in Kentucky and has been expelled from the cheerleading squad. Currently, she remains under house arrest.
