A former cheerleader from the University of Kentucky, Laken Snelling, has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter after being accused of killing her newborn son.
At 21 years old, Snelling is alleged to have concealed the baby in a garbage bag and placed it in a closet following the birth on August 27. Reports indicate that her roommate discovered the child in a black bag tucked away in a closet at their off-campus residence and subsequently called 911.
Snelling was charged with several offenses, including abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant, to which she also pleaded not guilty. The charge of manslaughter was introduced last month after the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office determined that the baby was born alive but died from “asphyxia by an unidentified method.”
Following her arrest, Snelling was taken to the Fayette County Detention Center, but reportedly was seen walking around town just hours later. Her father posted a $10,000 bail. If convicted of manslaughter, she could face up to 20 years in prison, in addition to another 11 years for the other charges.
In the affidavit, Snelling initially told police that the baby fell to the floor after birth, claiming she thought he wasn’t breathing or alive.
Later, she admitted to officers that she had passed out “over the baby” and awoke to find him “turning blue and purple.”
Court documents suggest Snelling eventually wrapped the baby “like a burrito” and laid him next to her for comfort.
Authorities report that she then hid the infant in a closet and took a shower to clean herself of the blood before skipping her morning classes and going to McDonald’s.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Snelling informed medical personnel of “some fetal movement” and claimed to have heard “sobs” after the birth, according to court records.
The next steps include a pretrial conference on May 14 and a status hearing on June 12. There has been no immediate comment from Snelling’s attorney.
