Kentucky (WOKI / WVLT) – A Jefferson City woman has pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges in a Kentucky case involving the death of her newborn son.
Laken Snelling, who has been on house arrest in Tennessee since posting bond last year, entered guilty pleas Friday in Fayette County Circuit Court to manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
The plea came during a hearing that had been scheduled as a status conference in Lexington.
The charges stem from an August 2025 investigation after Lexington Police were called to a home on Park Avenue for reports of an unresponsive infant. According to investigators, officers found a baby boy wrapped in a towel and placed inside a trash bag in a closet. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.
Court documents show roommates became suspicious after hearing unusual noises early that morning. According to records obtained by WKYT, roommates discussed the sounds in a Snapchat group chat that included Snelling.
One roommate reported hearing a loud crash around 4 a.m., while another said the noise was strong enough to knock a picture from a wall. The sounds reportedly continued for about an hour.
Later that morning, Snelling told the group chat she had passed out after not feeling well and not eating. She also said she intended to seek medical attention.
According to investigators, roommates later entered Snelling’s room and discovered the infant before contacting authorities. Roommates told police they had suspected Snelling might be pregnant but had never confirmed those suspicions with her.
The Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office determined the baby had been born alive and ruled the cause of death as asphyxia by undetermined means.
During Friday’s hearing, Snelling acknowledged her role in the case. When questioned by the judge, she said, “I was under a lot of emotional stress, and my baby came unexpectedly.”
She also admitted placing towels into a plastic bag and acknowledged that she did not tell anyone about the birth.
In accepting the plea, the court heard sentencing recommendations from prosecutors that include:
- 10 years for manslaughter
- 1 year for abuse of a corpse
- 1 year for tampering with evidence
- 12 months for concealing the birth of an infant
The final sentence will be determined by the judge.
Defense attorney Jennifer Baird said plea negotiations reflected the uncertainties of a jury trial and indicated that Snelling has expressed remorse for her actions.
Snelling will learn her sentence during a hearing scheduled for October 16.
Laken Snelling (WVLT)
