A former student-athlete at University of Kentucky was acting under what a grand jury described as “extreme emotional disturbance” at the time of her infant’s death last year, according to newly released indictment documents.
The Fayette County, Kentucky grand jury indicted Laken Snelling, 22, on several charges, including first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant. Authorities issued a new arrest warrant following the indictment.
Investigation began after roommates discovered remains
The investigation began on Aug. 27, 2025, when Snelling’s roommates contacted police after discovering remains wrapped in a towel inside a trash bag in a closet at a residence on Park Avenue in Lexington.
Officials said Snelling had returned to the home earlier that morning after giving birth alone. Emergency responders transported her to a hospital, and she was later interviewed by investigators.
At the time, Snelling—then 21—was initially arrested on charges of concealing the birth of an infant, tampering with physical evidence and abuse of a corpse. The manslaughter charge was added later through the grand jury indictment.
Medical examiner determined baby was born alive
According to the Lexington Police Department, the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office later concluded that the infant had been born alive and died from asphyxia.
Earlier in the investigation, the Fayette County Coroner’s Office had said it could not determine the cause of death without additional testing. Prosecutors delayed presenting the case to the grand jury until those results were available.
Grand jury proceedings are confidential, and at least nine of the 12 jurors must agree before charges are formally issued.
Manslaughter charge tied to “extreme emotional disturbance”
The indictment states that jurors determined Snelling intended to cause serious physical injury to the infant, but they concluded the circumstances did not meet the legal threshold for a murder charge.
Instead, the grand jury found she acted while experiencing extreme emotional disturbance, a legal concept indicating a person may have acted without reasonable self-control under intense emotional strain.
According to Kimberly Baird, the Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney, the law does not require a psychiatric evaluation to establish such a claim. The indictment does not indicate whether Snelling has undergone one.
Details from earlier police report
Police documents previously released say Snelling told officers she gave birth in her bedroom around 4 a.m. and that the baby fell to the floor during delivery.
She told investigators she believed the baby was not breathing. Roughly 30 minutes later, she said she lost consciousness and fell on top of the infant.
When she regained consciousness, she said the baby had turned blue and purple. According to police, she wrapped the child in a towel and remained beside him on the floor for comfort before later placing the body in a trash bag.
Authorities said Snelling acknowledged cleaning the area and concealing evidence of the birth.
Case moving forward
The indictment does not detail exactly how the infant was harmed. The case will now move forward in circuit court as prosecutors pursue the manslaughter and related charges.