A former University of Kentucky cheerleader is now facing a manslaughter charge after prosecutors say a newborn baby she gave birth to was alive before dying of suffocation.
Laken Snelling, 21, had previously been charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant. But the case took a major turn after a medical examiner determined the baby had been born alive.
According to prosecutors, the newborn later died from asphyxiation.
A grand jury reviewed the findings and decided to add a first-degree manslaughter charge.
Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney Kimberly Baird explained that jurors were presented with multiple possible homicide charges before reaching their decision.
“They were given information about homicide and the different levels of homicide,” Baird told local station WKYT. “After deliberating, the grand jury determined that first-degree manslaughter was the appropriate charge.”
Authorities say the incident first came to light on August 28 when Lexington police were called to a home near the University of Kentucky campus for reports of an unresponsive infant.
Officers arrived at the residence on Park Avenue around 10:30 a.m. and pronounced the newborn dead at the scene.
Investigators later discovered the baby wrapped in a towel inside a black trash bag, according to an arrest citation obtained by local media.
After being read her Miranda rights, Snelling allegedly told officers she had given birth to the child and believed the baby was not breathing. She reportedly told police that she later passed out and fell on top of the newborn.
Police say Snelling also admitted to attempting to conceal the birth by cleaning the area and placing items used during the cleanup — along with the baby — inside the trash bag.
Investigators later located the bag inside a closet.
Snelling was arrested and taken to the Fayette County Detention Center. She was later released on bond, though authorities have since issued a warrant related to the manslaughter charge.
The University of Kentucky confirmed that Snelling had been a member of the school’s competitive cheerleading team for the past three seasons. Her online team biography listed her hometown as White Pine, Tennessee, about 185 miles from Lexington.
School officials declined further comment, referring questions to Lexington police.
Snelling has since withdrawn from the university as the case continues to move through the courts.
No critical thinking skills.If you go to full term why would you now kill the baby when you can give the child to a couple waiting for a child.She took an innocent life .How do you know this might be the person who would get the cure for some awful disease