(FOX 56) — The nationally watched criminal case involving a former University of Kentucky student facing charges in the death of her newborn son is prompting Safe Haven advocates to deliver a message they say could save lives: parents facing an unexpected birth do not have to face it alone.
Former University of Kentucky student Laken Snelling is awaiting sentencing after changing her plea to guilty Friday after being accused of concealing the birth and death of her son.
The case gained national attention after her arrest in 2025. Now, advocates for mothers in need believe her story could have ended differently if she had known where to turn for help.
“I was under a lot of emotional stress. My baby came unexpectedly. Instead of helping him, I ended his life, and afterwards, I cleaned up and didn’t tell anyone.”
Laken Snelling
That’s part of what Snelling said in court on Friday, emotional as she stood before a judge, admitting what happened to her baby boy.
She pleaded guilty to charges of first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. Snelling faces 10 to 12 years in prison.
“She’s not trying to hide anything now,” said Founder of Safe Haven Baby Boxes Monica Kelsey. “She’s put it all out there. That just speaks volumes about her character and how she can move forward from here.”
While the criminal case now moves toward sentencing, advocates expressed they are focused on what can be learned from the tragedy.
“A parent can walk into any facility, you know, a hospital; in the state of Kentucky it’s churches also, or fire stations; and then just hand the child to a person, turn around and walk away, no questions asked,” she said.
Since 2016, Kelsey’s organization has partnered with fire stations nationwide to install baby boxes where mothers can safely surrender their children.
It’s not clear if Snelling knew about the law or the baby box at Lexington’s Fire Station 2.
“We would not even know her name today,” said Kelsey. “We would not be talking about her, and a baby’s life would be going on. We’ve met many babies from the state of Kentucky with their adoptive families, and it’s a beautiful thing when it works out.”
According to the organization, baby boxes have saved the lives of 85 babies so far. She urges any mother considering her options to reach out for help before a moment of crisis turns into tragedy.
“We are the experts on the Safe Haven law. We can help you navigate through that and again, we will never judge you. We will never shame you, and we will never ask for your name,” Kelsey said.
There’s a Safe Haven Crisis Line reachable at 1-866-99BABY1.