Lexington, KY — Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old cheerleader and student at the University of Kentucky, was arrested after the body of her newborn was allegedly discovered in a trash bag in her closet. The infant’s death is under investigation as authorities have charged Snelling with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
Arrest and Charges
The incident unfolded on Saturday, August 30, when police were called to a home on Park Avenue in Lexington, Kentucky. Police found the infant’s body wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag in the closet. The baby was pronounced dead at approximately 10:30 a.m., and the cause of death is yet to be determined by the Fayette County Coroner’s Office.
Snelling, who admitted to giving birth to the child, was arrested on Sunday, August 31. She was charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
“She admitted to giving birth,” police said, confirming that Snelling is the biological mother of the deceased infant as per reports.
Details of Discovery
According to the Lexington Police Department (LPD), officers responded to a call about an unresponsive infant and made the grim discovery in Snelling’s closet. The infant’s body was found inside the trash bag, wrapped in a towel.
The investigation is ongoing, and the official cause of death will be confirmed by the coroner’s office.
Snelling’s Background and University Response
Laken Snelling is a University of Kentucky student and has been a member of the university’s competitive cheerleading stunt team for three years. The team, which competes in the sport of STUNT, confirmed Snelling’s involvement in a statement.
“We can confirm that she has been a member of the STUNT team for the last three seasons. All other questions should be directed to the Lexington Police,” the university said in a statement obtained by The Independent.
Snelling hails from White Pine, Tennessee, where she graduated from Jefferson County High School.
Community Reaction
The arrest has shocked both the university community and the local area. Snelling, who was known as a dedicated member of the cheerleading team, now faces serious charges that could result in significant legal consequences.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to determine the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
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