A baby found dead in the closet of a home near the University of Kentucky was likely born alive and delivered at full term, despite his mother initially telling authorities otherwise.
Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old former cheerleader and member of the University of Kentucky STUNT team, was arrested on Aug. 31, days after officers with the Lexington Police Department discovered her infant’s remains “wrapped in a towel inside of a black trash bag,” which had been left in a closet, according to the police report.
Snelling, identified by authorities as the baby’s mother, has since been charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.
She pleaded not guilty during an initial court appearance earlier this month and was released on $100,000 bond. On Friday, she waived her right to a preliminary hearing.
According to an affidavit obtained by Lex 18, the baby “appeared to be full term when discovered.” Snelling also allegedly told medical staff at UK Hospital that “the baby made a whimper,” and that she “guessed the baby was alive.”
During her initial interviews with authorities, Snelling said she did not believe the infant was born alive and that she fell asleep on top of him shortly after the delivery, per the police records. When she woke up, she said she saw “the baby turning blue and purple.”
Snelling then wrapped the infant in a towel, believing he was dead.
Few other details about the case have been provided, including the newborn’s cause of death. An autopsy proved inconclusive, and the medical examiner’s report said that more testing would be required.
