Grand Jury Votes to Indict Laken Snelling on Manslaughter Charge, Autopsy Shows Newborn Found Dead in Trash Bag Was Born Alive

A former beauty queen faces serious legal challenges following charges, including first-degree manslaughter, related to the death of her newborn infant. Laken Snelling, a 22-year-old resident of Fayette County, has been indicted by a grand jury, with additional charges involving abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the birth of a child.

The Lexington Police Department announced the grand jury’s decision, revealing that testimony indicated the infant was born alive. Tragically, the baby was later discovered wrapped in a towel and hidden inside a trash bag in Snelling’s closet. An autopsy revealed the cause of death as “asphyxia by undetermined means.”

In Kentucky, the penalty for first-degree manslaughter can range from 10 to 20 years in prison. Snelling’s situation became critical following her arrest in August 2025, when she was initially taken into custody after police responded to a report concerning a deceased infant. The alarm was raised by her roommates, who had become concerned after hearing strange noises and noticing blood in Snelling’s room.

Upon arrival, police found Snelling had left the residence despite recently giving birth. She had attended class and later stopped at a McDonald’s before returning home, where she was subsequently detained for questioning. The details surrounding her arrest indicate a concerning sequence of events that have drawn significant public attention.

Following her arrest, Snelling was treated at the University of Kentucky Hospital. It was during this time that she waived her rights and spoke to investigators. According to documentation from the investigation, Snelling claimed she gave birth to her child around 4am on August 27. After the birth, she reportedly fell asleep, later waking to find her newborn in distress.

In her account, she described wrapping the baby in a towel for comfort and staying beside the infant on the floor. However, when she awoke again, her child was exhibiting signs of severe distress, including turning blue and purple. Rather than seeking immediate help, Snelling cleaned her room, disposed of the baby and the placental remains into a trash bag.

The autopsy report was inconclusive, necessitating further testing to determine the infant’s exact cause of death. In the wake of the grand jury’s indictment, Snelling had been on pre-trial release, living at her father’s home in Tennessee. Initially permitted to alternate between her parents’ homes, her situation changed when the court ordered her to wear a GPS monitoring device following a breach of the terms of her release.

As the case develops, the community remains watchful for updates regarding when Snelling will be formally indicted. The nature of the charges has sparked widespread discussions about the complex issues surrounding motherhood, mental health, and legal accountability.

Before these events, Snelling was a promising athlete and member of the University of Kentucky’s STUNT team, who were runners-up in the previous year’s NCAA competition. Snelling made the decision to withdraw from university following her arrest, adding another layer of complexity to a case already marked by tragedy and legal complications.

The story of Laken Snelling serves as a reminder of the challenges many young individuals can face and the consequences of decisions made in moments of distress. The forthcoming trial will likely delve into the heart of these issues, examining not only the legal facets but also the societal implications surrounding such cases.