An individual who previously held the title of a beauty queen is facing impending charges related to a severe crime involving the unlawful disposal of her infant in a garbage bag while the baby was still alive.
Following a decision made by a grand jury, 22-year-old Laken Snelling is set to be indicted on several counts, including first-degree manslaughter, after her newborn was discovered deceased in a trash bag concealed in a closet within her residence. The autopsy determined that the cause of the infant’s demise was “asphyxia by undetermined means.”
Snelling has been on release pending trial at her father’s residence since October of the previous year. The exact timing of her formal indictment on the charges remains undisclosed.
According to the Lexington Police Department, the grand jury’s ruling was influenced by information indicating that Snelling’s child was born alive. Law enforcement initially responded to a residence off-campus near the University of Kentucky after receiving reports of a deceased baby found in a closet on August 27.
Concerned housemates of Snelling contacted authorities after overhearing unusual sounds emanating from her room earlier that day and discovering blood present. Upon arrival, law enforcement discovered that Snelling had left for classes shortly after delivering the baby.
Upon her return, Snelling was apprehended outside a clinic after a stop at a McDonald’s, subsequently being taken into custody for questioning at a police facility. Following her arrest and receiving medical attention, she opted to waive her Miranda Rights and offer a statement to the authorities.
In her statement, Snelling revealed that she gave birth in her bedroom at 4 am, where the baby fell to the floor, and after being awake for another 30 minutes, she accidentally fell on top of the newborn and fell back asleep. The affidavit did not specify the duration of her slumber, but indicated that when she awoke, the infant was displaying signs of distress.
Allegedly, Snelling disclosed to an officer that she wrapped the baby in a towel resembling a burrito and laid beside the newborn on the floor, finding solace in the act at the time.
Following her detention, Snelling remained in custody at the Fayette County Detention Center until September 2, after which she was placed under house arrest at her father’s residence in Tennessee. Subsequently, she withdrew from the University of Kentucky, where she had been a member of the STUNT cheerleading team.
Previously, in August 2025, Snelling faced charges related to the abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
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