Quick summary
A former University of Kentucky student-athlete, 22-year-old Laken Snelling, has entered a guilty plea to first-degree manslaughter in connection with the death of her newborn son. The case drew attention after the infant’s body was discovered wrapped in a towel and placed inside a trash bag in a closet.
Court appearance and plea
Snelling initially pleaded not guilty after a grand jury returned multiple charges. At a recent Fayette County court hearing she reversed course, tearfully admitting guilt. She told the judge she was overwhelmed and that the birth was unexpected. Instead of seeking help, she said she suffocated the baby and later tried to hide what had happened.
What prosecutors say happened
Police responded to the residence on Aug. 27 after being notified of an unresponsive infant. According to investigators, the baby was wrapped in a towel and put inside a black garbage bag before being hidden in a closet. The local medical examiner concluded the infant had been born alive and that the cause of death was asphyxia, though investigators described the exact circumstances as undetermined.
Charges and possible penalties
Besides the manslaughter count, Snelling faced charges that included abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth. During the hearing she acknowledged actions that align with those counts — for example, placing towels into a plastic bag and keeping the birth a secret from roommates. The judge accepted the guilty plea and scheduled sentencing for Oct. 16. The manslaughter conviction carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison.
Background and next steps
Snelling had been a member of the university’s STUNT team while she was a student. With sentencing set for October, the focus now shifts to the court process and any statements from prosecutors, defense attorneys or family members. This remains a tragic matter for everyone involved, and the scheduled hearing will determine the legal consequences going forward.
