New Details Emerge in University of Kentucky Cheerleader's Dead Baby Case

New Details in Laken Snelling Case

• 💡 Laken Snelling, a former University of Kentucky cheerleader, is facing charges including abuse of a corpse and concealing the birth of an infant after her newborn's body was found in a trash bag.
• ⚠️ Newly released court documents reveal Snelling told doctors her baby may have shown signs of life, including a "whimper" and "fetal movement".
• 🔍 Prosecutors are examining Snelling's digital footprint, statements to police, and evidence found by her roommates.

Alleged Timeline and Actions

• ⏰ Snelling reportedly told police she gave birth around 4:00 AM, initially believing the baby was not breathing or alive.
• 💔 She stated she fell asleep on top of the baby, later waking to find the baby had turned blue and purple, and then wrapped the infant in a towel and placed it in a trash bag.
• 🧹 Evidence found by roommates included a blood-soaked towel, a plastic bag with childbirth evidence, and the baby's body, leading to police being called.
• 📱 Investigators reportedly obtained deleted images of Snelling during labor through a search warrant, which could be key evidence.

Legal Implications and Investigation

• ⚖️ The case's direction may shift based on the baby's cause of death and whether the child was born alive, potentially leading to charges like criminally negligent homicide or murder.
• 🧠 Snelling's actions, including cleaning the room, bagging the placenta separately, and preparing to go to class, suggest a level of premeditation, according to legal experts.
• 🤝 Investigators are working closely with the prosecutor's office to determine if the evidence can prove charges beyond a reasonable doubt.
• 🕵️ The defense may challenge how evidence was collected, emphasizing the importance of proper procedure and documentation by investigators.

Roommate Accounts and Digital Evidence

• 👂 Roommates reported hearing noises for about an hour around the time Snelling claims she gave birth, providing a timeline to compare with her statements.
• 📸 The discovery of deleted labor photos highlights the persistence of digital evidence, even after attempts to erase it.
• ❓ Key unanswered questions include the father's identity and the full cooperation from potential partners.

Legal Expert Analysis

• 💬 Retired NYPD detective David Sarnney discusses how Snelling's statements to doctors, suggesting fetal movement, could impact potential charges.
• 📈 He notes that if the baby was alive, Snelling's actions could be viewed as negligent for not seeking medical aid or calling 911.
• 🔒 Investigators are focused on meticulous evidence collection, including search warrants for phones and digital records, to ensure admissibility in court.