A Kentucky woman charged with concealing her newborn baby’s death appeared in court as her case was given to a grand jury.
Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old, has decided to skip her preliminary hearing, allowing her case to proceed straight to a grand jury. According to WKYT, this decision was made in a brief 35-second hearing on Friday.
On August 27, emergency services received a call about an unresponsive infant described as “cold to the touch.” Authorities believe Snelling gave birth to the baby, which was found wrapped in a towel, placed in a trash bag, and left in a closet.
At the time the baby’s body was discovered, Snelling was not at home but was located nearly an hour later. The Lexington police got help from the University of Kentucky Police Department in finding Snelling, who was a student then.
Judge reviewed the case and decided there was adequate evidence to present it before a grand jury. This jury will determine if Snelling will be indicted and consider any additional charges.
While at police headquarters, Snelling requested a medical examination. It was reported that she confessed to giving birth and cleaning up afterward. The infant’s body was apparently found near cleaning products.
A preliminary autopsy was unable to determine the infant’s cause of death or whether the baby was born alive. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office mentioned that more tests are needed to establish the baby’s gestational age and the cause of death.
Snelling has pleaded not guilty to concealing the birth of an infant, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse. She was released on house arrest after posting $100,000 bond.
Snelling, who is from Tennessee, was a senior studying interdisciplinary disability at the University of Kentucky. She was reportedly on the university’s STUNT Team, a competitive sport which incorporates athletic and technical components of cheerleading. The team began competing in 2021, a year after the university adopted the varsity sport.
Reports indicated that Snelling withdrew from college after her arrest.
[Feature Photo: Lexington Police]
