Student Who Gave Birth, Stuffed Baby in a Trash Bag Pleads Not Guilty

A 21-year-old University of Kentucky student and self-styled beauty queen, Laken Snelling, faces serious charges after admitting to concealing her dead newborn’s body in a closet. Snelling reportedly gave birth and then stuffed her newborn baby in a trash bag and threw it in a closet.

Snelling is now out on bond and living with her parents and has pleaded not guilty to charges including concealing the birth of a baby, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence. She has not been charged with homicide or manslaughter in connection with the baby’s death. Snelling is under “home incarceration” while she awaits trial.

Snelling, a senior studying interdisciplinary disability studies and a member of the university’s competitive cheerleading squad, was arrested on Aug. 27, following the discovery of her deceased newborn. According to LEX 18, Snelling “admitted to concealing the birth by cleaning any evidence, placing all cleaning items used inside of a black trash bag, including the infant, who was wrapped in a towel.”

Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 26 at 8:30 a.m.

Lexington police responded to a call on Park Avenue regarding an unresponsive infant, where they found the baby “wrapped in a towel inside of a trash bag” in a closet, according to an arrest citation.

The infant was pronounced dead at the scene.

Meanwhile, the Fayette County Coroner says the cause of death is inconclusive for the baby. The coroner’s report also confirmed that the infant was a boy.

In the coroner’s report, Coroner Gary Ginn said, “I understand the community’s concern and sensitivity surrounding the death of a child.” Ginn went on to say, “we are conducting a thorough and methodical death investigation to ensure all facts are carefully considered.”

Click here to sign up for pro-life news alerts from LifeNews.com

Snelling, from Tennessee and identified as the child’s mother, admitted to officers that she gave birth and attempted to conceal the evidence after being read her rights, authorities said.

The case has drawn significant attention, particularly from pro-life groups, who view the incident as a tragic example of the need for greater support for pregnant women and the protection of unborn and newborn life.

Kentucky’s protective abortion laws, in place since the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, protect unborn babies. Pro-life advocates argue that this case underscores the importance of providing resources and counseling to young women facing unplanned pregnancies to prevent such outcomes.

The incident has sparked further scrutiny after alleged maternity photos of Snelling, reportedly taken from her now-deactivated Instagram account, went viral on social media. The images, showing her in a white dress alongside a man presumed to be her boyfriend, have fueled public speculation, though their authenticity has not been officially confirmed.

In a June video posted to her Instagram, Snelling expressed her life goals, stating she wanted “to be a mother and have a family,” according to reports.

Snelling’s involvement in the University of Kentucky’s STUNT team and her participation in pageants, where she built a personal brand around athletics and lifestyle content, has added to the public’s shock. The university confirmed Snelling is a currently enrolled senior but has not commented further on her status with the cheerleading team.

The investigation remains ongoing, with Lexington police continuing to examine the circumstances of the infant’s death. Pro-life advocates are calling for compassion and justice, urging society to address the root causes that lead to such tragedies while reaffirming their commitment to protecting life at all stages.

The post Student Who Gave Birth, Stuffed Baby in a Trash Bag Pleads Not Guilty appeared first on LifeNews.com.