Former Kentucky student-athlete indicted on manslaughter charge in baby's death

Former University of Kentucky student-athlete Laken Snelling was indicted on a first-degree manslaughter charge in connection with the death of her newborn, whose body was found inside a trash bag in a closet last year, officials said.

A former University of Kentucky student-athlete has been indicted on a first-degree manslaughter charge in connection with the death of her newborn, whose body was found inside a trash bag in a closet last year, officials said.

Snelling, 22, was indicted by a grand jury on Tuesday on several charges related to the August 2025 incident, including first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant, according to the Lexington Police Department. She was taken into custody at the Fayette County Detention Center on Thursday before she was released on a $10,000 bond.

The former member of the university’s STUNT team was previously arrested on the same charges, except the charge of first-degree manslaughter, which was added by the convening grand jury.

Lexington police said Snelling hid her dead infant, found wrapped in a towel, inside a black trash bag in a closet.

Her attorney, Brandon Marshall, has not responded to a request for comment.