Authorities believe former UK student’s baby was ‘full-term’ at birth, records state

Story and Photo By Kentucky Kernel Staff

WARNING: This story contains graphic information regarding pregnancy, childbirth and an infant death. Reader/viewer discretion is advised.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Kentucky Kernel) – New developments were released Friday regarding the death of a former University of Kentucky student’s baby.

According to a report by Kentucky Kernel, records it obtained showed the former student, 21-year-old Laken Snelling, “told medical staff at the University of Kentucky Labor and Delivery that her baby displayed ‘a little bit of fetal movement’ at birth, he made a ‘whimper’ and she ‘guessed’ the baby was alive.”

Kentucky Kernel further reports a signed affidavit by members of the Lexington Police Department “states the newborn appeared to be full term” when the baby was found.

In addition, a search of Snelling’s phone resulted in the discovery of various searches and images, including photos taken “while she was in labor” that were deleted.

The affidavit states Snelling had told police the birth occurred at 4 a.m. on Aug. 27 and that the baby “fell onto the floor, and she didn’t think he was ‘breathing or alive.'”

According to Kentucky Kernel, Snelling additionally told police she was “awake for around 30 minutes after giving birth before falling on top of the baby.”

When she allegedly woke back up, the affidavit states she “got up” and saw that “the baby was turning blue and purple” and that she believed the newborn was dead before she wrapped him up and “laid next to it” because it “gave her a little comfort in the moment.”

A uniform citation by Lexington police states the newborn was later located in a towel inside of a trash bag.

Police say Snelling admitted to giving birth and concealing that birth by cleaning up any evidence and putting all of the cleaning items in the trash bag with the infant.

Later that morning, around 8:48 a.m., Snelling reportedly stated in a group chat that noises others heard were caused by her “passing out” since she “had not eaten and had not been feeling well.”

Snelling told law enforcement she left her home for a 9:30 a.m. class but sat in her vehicle in the parking lot instead of going. The affidavit says Snelling stated she was “not feeling well,” so she ordered food through an app.

After picking up her food, Snelling reportedly told police she had gone to UK’s student clinic but did not enter it and returned home.

According to records, police arrived at her residence at 10:34 a.m. after being contacted by Snelling’s roommate after the baby was discovered.

Snelling was detained shortly after this occurred.

Kentucky Kernel reports Snelling pleaded not guilty on Sept. 2 to charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.

She appeared in court Friday, Sept. 26 and reportedly waived her right to a preliminary hearing.

The Kernel states it “contacted Snelling’s lawyers at Nash Marshall, PLLC, for comment and was told they would not be able to take a media inquiry at this time.”