UK Student’s Roommates Discovered Evidence of Childbirth, Leading to Arrest
LEXINGTON, KY – A University of kentucky student, Laken Snelling, 21, is facing charges after her roommates discovered evidence suggesting she had given birth in her apartment, authorities say. The discovery on August 27th triggered a police investigation and has raised questions about the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
According to court documents and incident reports, Snelling’s roommates became concerned when she skipped a class and left for McDonald’s. Upon entering her room, they found a “blood-soaked towel on the floor and a plastic bag containing evidence of childbirth.” A subsequent search revealed a newborn infant inside a black plastic bag in a closet. An individual instantly called 911, reporting the baby was “cold to the touch.”
Police met Snelling at her apartment around 10:30 a.m. that day and took her to headquarters for a medical evaluation.
Initial reports indicate Snelling allegedly told her roommates approximately four hours prior to the discovery that a noise they heard was caused by her falling after passing out. Though, an affidavit obtained by WLKY states Snelling later claimed she was awake for about 30 minutes after giving birth before losing consciousness. Upon waking, she reportedly believed the baby was not alive, stating he was “turning blue and purple.”
The New York Post reported that snelling allegedly told hospital staff she heard the baby “whimper” after he was born.
Snelling was arrested on august 30th and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. She pleaded not guilty on September 2nd and later waived her right to a preliminary hearing on September 26th, allowing the case to proceed directly to a grand jury.She has withdrawn from the University of Kentucky and is currently on house arrest.
A preliminary autopsy conducted by the Fayette County Coroner’s office has yielded inconclusive results, with officials stating “extensive microscopic analysis are essential” to determine the cause and manner of death.
