A former University of Kentucky student-athlete, Laken Snelling, faces serious charges after allegedly concealing the death of her newborn baby. According to newly released court documents, the 21-year-old claimed to have heard her infant “whimper” at birth before hiding him in a closet.
Snelling was arrested by the Lexington Police Department on August 31 after they responded to a call regarding an unresponsive infant. Authorities confirmed that the baby was pronounced dead at the scene. The court affidavit states that Snelling noted some fetal movement around the time of birth and believed the newborn might be alive.
After the infant’s passing, police recovered the baby wrapped in a trash bag in a closet, where it was cold to the touch. Snelling’s roommates reportedly became concerned after hearing loud noises in the apartment. Additionally, Snelling informed her roommates that she planned to see a doctor due to faintness from not eating, but later bought food from McDonald’s and did not enter the clinic.
Snelling recounted being awake for about 30 minutes following the delivery. When she regained consciousness, she found her baby “turning blue and purple” and assumed the infant had died. In her distress, she described wrapping the baby “like a burrito” and lying next to him for comfort.
Investigators discovered that Snelling had deleted labor photos and other evidence related to her pregnancy from her phone, which raised further suspicions. She now faces multiple charges, including tampering with physical evidence, concealing the birth of an infant, and abuse of a corpse. Snelling has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
This tragic event sheds light on the critical issues surrounding young mothers and mental health support. The complexities surrounding childbirth experiences may require additional resources and education for expectant parents, emphasizing the importance of awareness and open discussion about postpartum care and the support systems available.