A former University of Kentucky student-athlete, Laken Snelling, has been accused of hiding her newborn baby in a wardrobe after giving birth. Court documents reveal that Snelling took photos of herself in labor and heard the baby “whimper” before concealing him. She is facing charges including abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence.
Allegedly, Snelling gave birth in the early hours of August 27, claiming she heard the baby make sounds, indicating he was alive. The infant was later discovered in a rubbish bag inside Snelling’s bedroom wardrobe. Authorities found that Snelling had searched pregnancy-related topics on her phone.
The phone contained various pregnancy-related searches and photos of Snelling in labor, which were later deleted in an attempt to conceal the birth. Detectives suspect more evidence may have been removed by Snelling before her arrest.
Prosecutors state that after giving birth, Snelling allowed the baby to fall onto the bedroom floor, where it later turned blue. She then wrapped the baby and placed it next to her for comfort before eventually disposing of it in a rubbish bag.
Snelling’s flatmates reportedly heard loud noises coming from her room during the birth, which Snelling claimed were caused by her fainting. After the incident, Snelling skipped her lecture, ordered food via a mobile app, and visited a student clinic without going inside.
Upon returning to her room, Snelling’s flatmates discovered evidence of childbirth, leading to her arrest by the police. Snelling pleaded not guilty to the charges and is currently out on bail under house arrest, having waived her right to a preliminary hearing.
This case continues to unfold as Snelling faces legal proceedings for the alleged concealment of her newborn baby.
