KY - Laken Snelling, 21, arrested after giving birth and infant was found in closet, Lexington - 27 August 2025

[cattlekate]

So did Connor dump her over the summer? He clearly was cupping her belly during the photo shoot.

 

[Serononin]

I see some criticism of the roommates, which might be fair if they were close with her and the noises sounded concerning. I wonder, though (as a former college student myself!), if it's possible they thought it was Laken having sex or being drunk and knocking things around. On top of that, if she wasn't pleasant to deal with, they might not want to interrupt a roommate they believe to be having sex or knocking things around.

I think roommates will usually check on each other if they hear something worrisome unless one of the following is true:
1. They are frightened for their own lives and can't move (Idaho case)
2. Their roommate has characteristics that make it difficult to approach them on anything (i.e. they are afraid to confront the person due to the person getting angry/mean)
3. Their mind believes there is a safe explanation ("my roommate is having loud sex", "my roommate is being drunk and annoying").

I believe this is especially true for young people who are still in their adolescent brain.

Yeah, even if they suspected she was pregnant, I don't think most people would hear their roommate making noise in her room and think she was giving birth. Especially since (AFAIK) they didn't hear a baby crying

 

[Gae]

Any updates on this? I sure keep thinking about it.

 

[arielilane]

Legal Proceedings​

Snelling’s case has been waived to a grand jury, which will determine the next steps in the legal process. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death, but results have yet to be released.

University of Kentucky Cheerleader Withdraws Amid Investigation

Former University of Kentucky cheerleader withdraws amid investigation into her newborn son's death and faces serious charges.

www.herelexingtonky.com

12/12/2025

 

[Gae]

Yeah, even if they suspected she was pregnant, I don't think most people would hear their roommate making noise in her room and think she was giving birth. Especially since (AFAIK) they didn't hear a baby crying

She said "it" made "fetal noises" after being born. I assume that means crying, whimpering, something. By referring to her baby's crying/whimpering as "fetal noises" it sounds like she didn't even think of him as a baby, just a fetus - which is still a baby. I've never heard a woman who delivered a full term, crying/whimpering baby, refer to that baby as an "it" making "fetal noises." IDK if she is trying to play dumb to cover her behavior, or what.

 

[Sjöberg]

she didn't even think of him as a baby, just a fetus

Frankly, this is not uncommon and also varies in different cultures. Historically, babies used to not get names before they were several months old, as 1) in the olden days, they were unlikely to survive and you don't waste a good name and 2) they don't really have a personality yet so the parent cannot get a grasp if the name fits.

In her case, she is not feeling a connection to the baby as a "human child" at that moment and this might be because of trauma, beacuse of being young and lacking experience with babies, because of lack of maternal hormones, because of a lack of narrative and supportive enviroment for the baby, because of not wanting the baby, because of "being evil" or because of who the f knows.

This is not the surprising part here to me. How the maternity photoshoot guy claims to not know she was pregnant is way more surprising to me.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Legal Proceedings​

Snelling’s case has been waived to a grand jury, which will determine the next steps in the legal process. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause of death, but results have yet to be released.

University of Kentucky Cheerleader Withdraws Amid Investigation

Former University of Kentucky cheerleader withdraws amid investigation into her newborn son's death and faces serious charges.

www.herelexingtonky.com

12/12/2025

Is the prosecutor waiting on the final autopsy report before going before the Grand Jury?
There's a huge difference in criminal charges if it comes back that LS's son was born alive, a homicide, then being indicated for abuse of a corpse etc.
Then there's this to consider, all murders are homicides, but not all homicides are murders.
imo

 

[justme11]

On Dec. 10, a subpoena was filed ordering UK Medical Center to provide Snelling’s medical records between August 2024 and now.

UK Medical Center has until January 20 to provide the records

SBM

UK Medical Center receives new subpoena in Laken Snelling case

A new subpoena has been filed in the case of a former University of Kentucky student athlete charged in her baby’s death.

www.wkyt.com

 

[Izzylizzy]

Laken Snelling: Grand Jury Date Set in Case of Former Beauty Queen Accused of Hiding Dead Baby in Closet​

'A grand jury date has been set in the case of the former University of Kentucky student who allegedly gave birth in the bedroom of her off-campus home on Aug. 27

snip:

'The grand jury will likely be asked to indict Snelling on the three charges she initially pleaded not guilty to during her initial court appearance in September — and possibly a count of murder or manslaughter depending on the newborn's autopsy results'.

Laken Snelling: Grand Jury Date Set in Case of Former Beauty Queen Accused of Hiding Dead Baby in Closet

The former small-town beauty queen and University of Kentucky cheerleader is accused of giving birth in her off-campus bedroom and then putting her dead baby in a trash bag in her closet

people.com

 

[mspepper]

According to WKYT she was indicted today for first degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, concealment of the birth of an infant, and tampering with physical evidence.
Finally

 

[arielilane]

On Monday a Fayette County grand jury indicted Snelling on the charges of:

• First-degree manslaughter
• Abuse of a corpse
• Tampering with physical evidence
• Concealing the birth of an infant.

The manslaughter charge was added by the convening Grand Jury.

Former UK student indicted in connection with baby’s death

A former UK student charged in her baby’s death has been indicted.

www.wave3.com

 

[arielilane]

March 10, 2026

Laken Snelling posts bond after being booked at Fayette County Detention Center on manslaughter charge

Laken Snelling, who was indicted on March 10 by a Fayette County grand jury on first-degree manslaughter, was booked in the Fayette County Detention Center on Thursday.

www.lex18.com

According to court documents, Snelling told police she passed out on top of the baby, and when she woke, she saw the baby turning blue and purple. She then wrapped the baby in a towel, believing he was dead.

Records from Lexington Police indicate the newborn appeared to be full term when discovered.

 

[justme11]

March 10, 2026

Laken Snelling posts bond after being booked at Fayette County Detention Center on manslaughter charge

Laken Snelling, who was indicted on March 10 by a Fayette County grand jury on first-degree manslaughter, was booked in the Fayette County Detention Center on Thursday.

www.lex18.com

According to court documents, Snelling told police she passed out on top of the baby, and when she woke, she saw the baby turning blue and purple. She then wrapped the baby in a towel, believing he was dead.

Records from Lexington Police indicate the newborn appeared to be full term when discovered.

And also in that article

The Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office later determined the infant was born alive and that his cause of death was asphyxia by undetermined means.

 

[Izzylizzy]

On Monday a Fayette County grand jury indicted Snelling on the charges of:

• First-degree manslaughter
• Abuse of a corpse
• Tampering with physical evidence
• Concealing the birth of an infant.

The manslaughter charge was added by the convening Grand Jury.

Former UK student indicted in connection with baby’s death

A former UK student charged in her baby’s death has been indicted.

www.wave3.com

So glad that she was indicted.
I often checked for updates and have had a sinking feeling for months now that she wouldn't be.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Wow...she gets 2-3 weeks until her arraignment.

Snip:

“If they want her bond to be reduced or ask that the warrant be set aside so that she’s not in jail, all of those things would happen around arraignment time,” said Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird. "

“And then the judge would make those decisions. Whether to decrease the bond, increase the bond, keep the bond the same, whether to, you know, have her in custody for the warrant or set it aside.”


From there, Baird said Snelling will have options.

“We can negotiate and let her plead to the charges,” said Baird. “She could decide she just wants to go to trial. She can do that as well. We’re very early in the process, but she does have a couple of options.”

Baird said Snelling will remain on house arrest until her arraignment, which will likely happen in two or three weeks.'

https://fox56news.com/news/local/lexington/commonwealths-attorney-comments-on-infant-death-case-involving-former-uk-student/

 

[arielilane]

Snelling admitted she wrapped “the baby up like a burrito and laid next to it” because it “gave her a little comfort in the moment,” the court documents said.

Ex-University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling whose newborn was found dead in trash bag indicted for manslaughter, autopsy shows baby was born alive

She was originally charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.

nypost.com

 

[Megnut]

Snelling admitted she wrapped “the baby up like a burrito and laid next to it” because it “gave her a little comfort in the moment,” the court documents said.

Ex-University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling whose newborn was found dead in trash bag indicted for manslaughter, autopsy shows baby was born alive

She was originally charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.

nypost.com

But gave no comfort to the baby whose life she took.

 

[arielilane]

According to court documents, an active warrant of arrest on indictment was issued Tuesday. Snelling is expected to appear in court for arraignment on April 10.

Former University of Kentucky student indicted on new manslaughter charge in death of newborn baby

A Fayette County Grand Jury has indicted former University of Kentucky student Laken Snelling on a first-degree manslaughter charge in the death of her newborn.

www.wdrb.com

 

[justme11]

Andddd she's in jail....

Jail Website

 

[Insightful1]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2031817031306105096