Former UK student pleads not guilty to manslaughter charge in death of newborn baby

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — The former University of Kentucky student athlete indicted in her baby’s death appeared in court Friday.

Laken Snelling, 22, pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter charge brought against her by a Fayette County Grand Jury on March 11.

Snelling was arrested in August 2025 after investigators reportedly found the remains of a baby boy in a trash bag in a closet.

Snelling reportedly told medical staff at UK the baby "whimpered" after it was born, and she fell asleep on top of it. Snelling told them she thought the baby was dead and wrapped it in a towel and trash bag. Investigators said the baby appeared to be full term when it was found.

Police said the manslaughter charge was added by the grand jury after the Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office determined the baby was born alive and died from "asphyxia by undetermined means."

Snelling previously pleaded not guilty in September 2025 to abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant charges.

She has been on house arrest at her father's Tennessee home with an electronic monitor since posting a $10,000 bond last year.

After the March 11 grand jury indictment, Snelling was arrested and brought back to Kentucky and posted another $10,000 cash bond, according to FOX56.

A preliminary hearing for Snelling was set for May 14 and a status hearing set for June 12.