Ex-student faces manslaughter charge after newborn found in trash bag
USA TODAY
A former University of Kentucky student-athlete has been charged with manslaughter after her newborn infant was found dead in a trash bag in 2025.
A former University of Kentucky student-athlete is facing a manslaughter charge after her newborn infant was found dead in her closet, officials announced.
Laken Snelling, 22, was arrested in 2025 and charged with concealing the birth of an infant, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse, the Lexington Police Department previously announced. She has pleaded not guilty to these charges.
Snelling is now also facing a manslaughter charge, which was added by a grand jury, according to a release from the Lexington Police Department. A Fayette County grand jury returned an indictment against her on March 10.
Snelling was arrested after a dead infant was found "wrapped in a towel inside of a black trash bag" on Aug. 27. She told police she gave birth to the child and wrapped him up because she believed he had died, according to court records.
Officials from the Lexington Police Department confirmed the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office determined the child, called "Infant Snelling," was born alive and the cause of death was determined to be "asphyxia by undetermined means." The Fayette County Coroner’s Office identified the infant as male, according to police.
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