Laken Snelling former University of Kentucky student indicted by Fayette County grand jury with manslaughter after autopsy shows baby was born alive and had died by asphyxia by undetermined means.
A former University of Kentucky student charged after her newborn baby died is now facing a manslaughter charge.
Laken Snelling, 21, was arrested in August 2025 after her newborn was found dead in the 400 block of Park Avenue in Lexington.
Snelling was originally charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
Autopsy reveals newborn was born alive and died by asphyxia by undetermined means
After further investigation, the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s office determined the baby was born alive and his cause of death was asphyxia by undetermined means.
On Tuesday, March 10, the Fayette County grand jury indicted the former beauty queen-cheerleader for first-degree manslaughter, in addition to the previous charges, WLKY reported.
The indictment comes months after Snelling’s case being sent to the grand jury for consideration in September 2025.
University of Kentucky cheerleader said ‘she passed out on top of child’
Court records cite Snelling at the time of the newborn death, telling police she did not believe the baby was breathing after giving birth and that ‘she passed out on top of the child,’ after the ‘baby landing on the bedroom floor.’
Snelling then said she wrapped the baby in a towel before later placing the body in a trash bag and putting it in a closet before going back to sleep.
Snelling went on to tell her roommate ‘she had passed out earlier that morning, after being questioned about loud noises they had heard. Snelling further told them she was going to the doctor because she had not eaten and had not been feeling well.
Snelling also told medical staff at UK Hospital that the baby made a whimper and that she guessed the baby was alive, the documents claim.
She withdrew from UK shortly after her arrest after the roommate discovering the newborn’s remains. The former beauty queen/cheerleader has been on house arrested at her parents’ home in Tennessee.
Records from Lexington Police indicate the newborn appeared to be full term when discovered.
