LEXINGTON, Ky. — A former University of Kentucky student indicted on charges connected to the death of her newborn entered a guilty plea on Friday in Fayette Circuit Court. Laken Snelling, 22, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant. According to the NKY Tribune, Snelling said in court through tears: "I was under a lot of emotional stress and my baby came unexpectedly. And instead of helping him I ended his life and afterwards I cleaned up and didn't tell anyone."

Police were called to a residence in the 400 block of Park Avenue around 10:30 a.m. on Aug. 27 for an unresponsive infant, and officers arrived to find the infant, who was pronounced dead at the scene. Court records state the child was found wrapped in a towel, inside a trash bag, in a closet. The Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office determined the infant was born alive and that his cause of death was asphyxia by undetermined means.

At the time of her arrest, a UK spokesperson confirmed Snelling was a senior at the university and a member of the stunt team. She has since withdrawn from the school. Snelling was indicted on a manslaughter charge and briefly held at the Fayette County Detention Center before bonding out. She has been on house arrest in Tennessee since bonding out of jail last September.

Snelling's defense team approached the Commonwealth's Attorney office about a possible plea arrangement, and the office accepted the invitation to negotiate. The Commonwealth recommended Snelling face 10 years on her manslaughter charge, 1 year each for the abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence charges, and 12 months on her concealing the birth of an infant charge. The decision on how long Snelling will spend behind bars ultimately lies with the judge. Her sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 16, 2026.