Laken Snelling Case: New Details Emerge on Newborn's Death and Mother's Actions

Discovery of the Newborn and Laken Snelling's Actions

• 911 was called by Laken Snelling's roommates after they found the newborn baby dead.
• Laken Snelling, the 21-year-old mother, was not home when authorities arrived.
• Snelling is charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant, but not murder.

Legal Proceedings and Grand Jury

• Laken Snelling waived her right to a preliminary hearing, sending her case to a grand jury for indictment.
• Police reports released the same day as her court appearance provided significant new details.

Evidence of Concealment and Pregnancy Knowledge

• Affidavits revealed Laken Snelling had been Googling pregnancy-related topics and using social media hashtags for different weeks of pregnancy.
• Police found pictures of Snelling engaging in activities unusual for pregnant women, including cheerleading stunts at five months pregnant.
• Deleted pictures of Snelling in labor and internet searches were also discovered.

Snelling's Account of Birth and Aftermath

• Snelling told police she gave birth at 4:00 AM on August 27th, and the baby fell to the floor.
• She claimed she didn't think the baby was alive but later stated she passed out on top of the child and woke to find him turning blue and purple.
• She wrapped the baby and lay next to him for comfort before sleeping until 7:30 AM.
• Subsequently, she wrapped the baby in a towel, put it in a trash bag, and hid it and the placenta in her closet.

Critical Statements and Forensic Clues

• Snelling told medical staff that the baby made a whimper, suggesting it was alive after birth.
• She also described the baby turning blue and purple, which are considered definitive forensic clues of a functioning, live infant.
• Defense attorney Mark Geragos highlighted these statements as crucial evidence for the prosecution.

Court Appearances and Public Perception

• Snelling's choice of attire for court appearances, including a red cocktail dress and makeup for the first, and a black dress for the second, was discussed.
• Geragos noted that appearances matter and can influence jury perception in high-profile cases.
• The act of deleting information and the trip to McDonald's after the birth were also discussed as potentially damaging facts for the defense.