A 21-year-old former UK student was indicted for first-degree manslaughter in the 2025 death of her newborn son, found in a closet.

Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old former University of Kentucky student, has been indicted on first-degree manslaughter and additional charges in the death of her newborn son in August 2025. The infant, found in a closet at a Lexington apartment, was determined to have been born alive and died from asphyxia of undetermined cause. Snelling, who was initially charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing a birth, is accused of wrapping the baby in a towel, placing him in a trash bag, and storing the body in her closet. She has been on house arrest in Tennessee since September 2025 and withdrew from UK following her arrest. The indictment, returned on March 10, 2026, reflects updated medical examiner findings.