Former Beauty Queen Faces Murder Charges Over Newborn Found in Rubbish Bag
A former beauty queen and cheerleader is now confronting murder charges after a grand jury indictment linked to the tragic discovery of her newborn baby in a rubbish bag. Laken Snelling, aged 22, is accused of dumping the infant while it was still alive, with the case unfolding through a series of disturbing events detailed in police affidavits and official reports.
Grand Jury Reaches Decision on Multiple Charges
The grand jury voted to indict Snelling on multiple serious charges, including manslaughter in the first degree. This decision came after investigators determined that her child had been born alive. The infant was found deceased in a rubbish bag, which had been stuffed into the back of a closet within Snelling's room. An autopsy later revealed the cause of death as "asphyxia by undetermined means," adding a layer of mystery to the already harrowing case.
Snelling has been on pre-trial release at her father's home since October of last year, but there has been no clear indication regarding when she will be formally indicted with these charges. The Lexington Police Department confirmed that officers initially responded to an off-campus residence located just a few blocks away from the University of Kentucky on August 27, after being alerted about a dead baby discovered in a closet.
Roommates' Concerns Lead to Discovery
Concerned roommates made the emergency call after hearing Snelling make strange noises earlier that day and subsequently finding blood in her room. When law enforcement officers arrived at the scene, Snelling was nowhere to be found; she had left to attend classes despite having just given birth. Her whereabouts were traced to a McDonald's and a clinic parking lot before she eventually returned home, where she was arrested and taken to a police station for questioning.
A few hours following her arrest and after receiving medical treatment at a local hospital, Snelling chose to waive her Miranda Rights and speak to investigators. According to an affidavit, she stated that she gave birth to the baby at approximately 4 a.m., with the infant falling onto the floor of her bedroom. She remained awake for another thirty minutes before "falling on top of the baby and going back to sleep." It was not disclosed how long she slept, but when she awoke, the newborn was reportedly "turning blue and purple."
Alleged Actions and Previous Charges
Snelling is alleged to have informed an officer that she wrapped her baby in a towel, describing it as "like a burrito," and laid next to the newborn on the bedroom floor. She claimed this action "gave her a little comfort in the moment," as per the affidavit. Following her arrest, Snelling was held at the Fayette County Detention Center until September 2, after which she was allowed to be placed on house arrest at her father's residence in Tennessee.
In the aftermath, Snelling withdrew from the University of Kentucky, where she had been a member of the school's STUNT cheerleading team. She had previously been charged in August 2025 with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. The case continues to develop as legal proceedings move forward, with the community and authorities closely monitoring the outcomes.
