Early Incident Overview
Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old student and former member of the STUNT team at the University of Kentucky, recently faced shocking allegations. According to court documents cited by the New York Post and Lex18, her roommates reported hearing loud noises from her bedroom on Aug. 27 around 4 a.m., the time she allegedly gave birth. Four hours later, she told them the sounds happened when she passed out and fell. Her pregnancy had apparently been hidden, as the roommates discovered she had skipped class and left for McDonald’s, only to return later. Upon entering her Lexington residence, they found a blood-soaked towel and a plastic bag with evidence of childbirth.
An individual then called 911, reporting that the newborn son in a closet was cold to the touch, according to an incident report obtained by Fox 56. When Snelling returned to her apartment around 10:30 a.m., police arrived, and she was taken to headquarters to be checked out medically. Reading these details, I can’t help but feel the complexity of what her roommates experienced—witnessing the aftermath of such a private and traumatic event must have been deeply unsettling. From my perspective, balancing awareness of evidence while respecting the sensitive nature of the birth shows just how layered and challenging real-life legal cases can be.
The Laken Snelling Case: What Happened
The investigation into Snelling revealed disturbing details about her birth experience and the infant she had hidden. On August 27, 2025, police responded to a call about an unresponsive newborn in an off-campus apartment in Lexington, Kentucky. Her roommates discovered a trash bag in a closet containing the baby, along with a blood-soaked towel. Court documents and a review of a deleted phone showed that Snelling had researched pregnancy topics and taken photos during labor, yet she initially claimed she had simply fallen and felt sick.
When questioned, Snelling admitted to giving birth but provided conflicting accounts, at first saying the baby was not breathing, then later reporting fetal movement and a whimper after the birth. She was charged with three felony offenses in Kentucky, posted a $100,000 bond, and is now under house arrest while awaiting trial. Following these events, she withdrawn from the University of Kentucky. Reading the details from both the court documents and the investigation, it’s clear how quickly ordinary life can become complicated, and how medical staff, police, and roommates all play critical roles in responding to such sensitive emergencies.
Understanding How Indiana Might Respond
In the Snelling case, while she is being prosecuted in Kentucky, Indiana families may wonder how similar charges would be handled. The stakes in such situations are incredibly high, and the legal consequences could be truly life-altering. From my experience observing cases like this, even minor differences in state law can make a huge impact on outcomes, so understanding how these charges could play out locally is crucial for anyone navigating comparable circumstances.
Indiana’s Abuse of a Corpse Laws
In Indiana, the abuse of a corpse is strictly covered under Indiana Code 35-45-11-2, a statute that classifies such acts as a Level 6 felony. Anyone who knowingly or intentionally mutilate, engage in sexual conduct, or open a casket to commit illegal acts can face serious charges. When the abuse involves concealment of a death or tampering with evidence, the charges can escalate to higher felony levels. From my perspective, understanding these laws is crucial, especially when a case like Snelling’s highlights how quickly actions around a corpse can trigger severe legal consequences, and how statutes are designed to prevent misuse or disrespect.
The penalties are serious in Indiana:
- In Indiana, Class A misdemeanors carry strict consequences, including up to 1 year in jail and $5,000 in fines. For cases like Snelling’s, even minor offenses can have a significant impact on personal and legal life. From my experience, understanding the full extent of these penalties is crucial because they show how seriously the state treats violations, and why timely legal guidance is essential when facing misdemeanors.
- In Indiana, Level 6 felonies are treated very seriously, with potential sentences ranging from 6 months to 2.5 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. For someone in Snelling’s situation, these penalties highlight how the state enforces consequences for criminal acts. From my experience, even when charges seem minor, the combination of prison time and hefty fines can significantly affect both personal life and future opportunities.Facing such felonies requires careful legal guidance because the up to limits show the maximum severity the law can impose. Understanding the exact range of punishment is crucial, especially when navigating a complex case like Snelling’s, where each decision can impact the outcome and long-term consequences.
- In Indiana, Level 5 felonies carry serious consequences, with potential sentences ranging from 1 year to 6 years in prison and fines of up to $10,000. For cases like Snelling’s, these penalties show how the state handles more severe offenses compared to lesser charges. From my experience, even when the legal language seems complex, knowing the range of prison time and fines helps families and defendants understand the real impact of felonies.Facing a Level 5 charge requires careful attention to legal advice because the “up to” limits indicate the maximum severity the law can impose. In situations similar to Snelling’s, understanding the scope of these penalties is crucial, as each decision or action can directly influence the outcome and long-term consequences of the case.
Neglect of a Dependent
In Indiana, if there is evidence that a newborn was born alive, prosecutors may pursue charges under the state’s neglect of a dependent statute, specifically Indiana Code 35-46-1-4. These situations are considered extremely serious, and cases like Snelling’s show how quickly legal attention can escalate when a dependent’s safety is at risk. From my experience, understanding how these statutes operate is vital because the state treats such neglect with maximum caution, and the legal outcomes can profoundly affect everyone involved.
Neglect of a dependent that causes serious harm is classified as a Level 2 felony: one of the most severe offenses under Indiana law, carrying:
- In Indiana, neglect of a dependent that results in serious harm is classified as a Level 2 felony, one of the most serious offenses under state law. Those convicted face prison sentences ranging from 20 to 40 years, showing how severe the consequences can be for endangering a vulnerable person. From my experience, understanding the potential length of prison time is crucial for families and legal teams, as it highlights the high stakes involved in such cases.For situations similar to Snelling’s, these penalties are not just numbers—they represent years of lost freedom and significant legal responsibility. The 20 years minimum and 40 years maximum range emphasizes the seriousness with which Indiana treats offenses that jeopardize the safety of a dependent, making early legal guidance essential for anyone facing such charges.
- In cases like Snelling’s, a Level 2 felony for neglect of a dependent can carry fines of up to $10,000, showing how the state enforces financial consequences along with prison time. From my experience, these fines are meant to reflect the seriousness of the offense and emphasize accountability, making it clear that harming a vulnerable person can result not only in long prison sentences but also significant monetary penalties.
- In extreme cases of neglect of a dependent, such as those similar to Snelling’s, the potential penalty can include a life sentence, highlighting just how seriously Indiana treats offenses that endanger a vulnerable person. From my experience, understanding that extreme cases can lead to a life sentence emphasizes the importance of immediate legal guidance and careful attention to every aspect of the case, as the stakes go far beyond fines or short-term prison sentences.
The Scene Where Laken Snelling’s Baby’s Body Was Found
Officers were dispatched to the scene after a report about an infant wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag, according to a police citation obtained by WLWT. The Lexington Police Department confirmed that Snelling, the birth mother of the child, was involved. From my experience observing sensitive cases, arriving quickly at such crime scenes is crucial for securing evidence and understanding exactly what happened.
Snelling was located by officers about five minutes away from her house after first responders arrived, People reported. She was taken to police headquarters, where she asked to be checked out as noted in the incident report, and she received emergency medical attention, according to Fox 56. In my view, the rapid response of first responders and police ensures both the safety of individuals involved and the preservation of critical evidence.
The citation further states that Snelling was arrested at 4:58 p.m. on Aug. 30 and booked into the Fayette County Detention Center on Aug. 31. These steps demonstrate how law enforcement and the justice system act swiftly in cases involving a child, and highlight the seriousness with which the authorities handle such tragic events.
Where Laken Snelling Is Now
After pleading not guilty and posting a $100,000 bond, laken Snelling is currently under home incarceration with no ankle monitor and is allowed to live with her parents, according to LEX18 and a court citation. From my experience covering legal cases, this type of bond arrangement is common for defendants who are considered low-risk but still face serious charges, balancing freedom with oversight.
Following her arrest, laken Snelling has withdrawn from the University of Kentucky, where she was a student and a member of the competitive STUNT sport team. These details provide context on her personal and academic life before the case, showing how quickly a promising path can change due to legal circumstances.
What Laken Snelling’s infant’s autopsy revealed
The Fayette County Coroner office released a report stating that a preliminary autopsy was completed, but the findings were inconclusive regarding the cause and manner of death of the baby. The report noted that extensive microscopic analysis is essential to fully understand the circumstances. The infant was male, and the date of death was August 27, highlighting the need for careful examination in cases like Snelling’s where details are critical to both legal and medical investigation.
Laken Snelling’s Charges
laken Snelling was arrested at 4:58 p.m. on Aug. 30 and booked into the Fayette County Detention Center on Aug. 31. She was charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. On Sept. 2, after she withdrew from school and was placed under house arrest, she pleaded not guilty. Later, on Sept. 26, laken Snelling waived her right to a preliminary hearing, according to People, allowing the case to move directly to a grand jury. From my perspective covering legal proceedings, these steps show how serious charges are formally processed while the defendant maintains certain legal rights.
Key Details That Have Emerged
laken Snelling was giving birth in her bedroom on Aug. 27 when her baby boy allegedly fell to the floor, according to People and an affidavit obtained by WLKY. She said she was awake for about 30 minutes before she passed out. When she woke up, the newborn was turning blue and turning purple, and she believed he was not alive. The case has since been revealed by the New York Post, showing that while at the hospital, she told staff she heard the baby whimper after he was born, highlighting the tragic and complex circumstances surrounding this alleged incident.
