Former UK student sentenced to 10 years in prison for death of newborn son

Laken Snelling was officially sentenced Friday morning in Lexington.

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Laken Snelling will spend 10 years in prison in connection with the death of her newborn son. The penalty stems from a plea agreement reached earlier this year.

The 22-year-old was initially charged with concealing the birthday of an infant, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse.

The charges were filed in August of 2025, after Snelling's roommate called police reporting a deceased infant that was found in a closet. On scene, police said Snelling admitted to giving birth and concealing the birth by placing any evidence and cleaning items inside a black trash bag.

The infant was wrapped in a towel and placed in the trash bag.

Disturbing discovery

Additional records from the Lexington Police Department revealed the baby "appeared to be full term" and that Snelling heard the baby make a whimper and believed it was alive when born.

She then told police that she passed out on top of the baby, and when she woke, she thought the baby was blue and purple. Snelling then wrapped the baby in a towel, believing he was dead, according to the document.

"Instead of helping him, I ended his life," Snelling told the judge at a previous court hearing.

The coroner's report revealed the baby was alive when he was born, and later died from asphyxia.

Snelling pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, concealing the birth of an infant and tampering with physical evidence.

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