Former UK student now charged with manslaughter; autopsy shows baby was born aliveA former University of Kentucky student charged after her newborn baby died is now facing a manslaughter charge.

Laken Snelling, 21, was arrested in August 2025 after her infant was found dead in the 400 block of Park Avenue in Lexington.

Snelling was originally charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.

After further investigation, the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s office determined the baby was born alive and his cause of death was asphyxia by undetermined means.

On Tuesday, Snelling was indicted for first-degree manslaughter, in addition to the previous charges. The new charge was added by the convening grand jury.

Court records say Snelling told police she did not believe the baby was breathing after giving birth and she passed out on top of the child.

Snelling then said she wrapped the baby in a towel before later placing the body in a trash bag and putting it in a closet.

She withdrew from UK shortly after her arrest. She has been on house arrested at her parents’ home in Tennessee.

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