Overview

• Affidavits say Laken Snelling gave birth around 4 a.m., passed out on top of the newborn, then later wrapped the baby in a towel and placed the towel and placenta in a trash bag in her closet.
• Roommates reported loud noises before finding a blood-soaked towel and a bag with childbirth evidence; a caller told 911 the infant was cold to the touch, and police found the body in the closet.
• Investigators say Snelling left the apartment, skipped class, picked up McDonald’s, and stopped by a student clinic without going inside before returning to meet police.
• Phone searches cited in the filings include concealed pregnancy topics, images taken during labor, and allegedly deleted photos investigators believe were removed to hide the pregnancy and birth.
• Snelling allegedly told police she thought the baby was not breathing but told medical staff she heard a whimper; the autopsy remains inconclusive, the case has moved to a Fayette County grand jury, and she is on house arrest in Tennessee after leaving the university.