A University of Kentucky cheerleader has been arrested and charged with multiple crimes after police discovered a dead infant in her closet. Cheerleader Charged Dead Infant. Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old student from White Pine, Tennessee, was taken into custody on Sunday following the discovery of the newborn’s body.
Snelling faces charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant after police found the baby wrapped in a towel inside a black trash bag. The incident has shocked the University of Kentucky community, where Snelling was a member of the competitive cheerleading stunt team for three seasons.
Police responded to Snelling’s address last Wednesday after receiving a report about an unresponsive infant. The baby was pronounced dead at the scene, and the coroner will determine the official cause of death. According to authorities, Snelling admitted to giving birth and attempting to conceal the fact.
Key Takeaways – Cheerleader Charged Dead Infant
- A 21-year-old University of Kentucky cheerleader was arrested after police found her dead newborn baby hidden in a closet
- The student faces three criminal charges including abuse of a corpse and concealing the birth of an infant
- Police discovered the incident on Wednesday and made the arrest on Sunday, with the cause of death still pending investigation
Timeline and Details of the Incident
The arrest of Laken Snelling occurred on August 27, 2025, when Lexington Police discovered a deceased infant at her residence. Police found the newborn wrapped in a towel and placed inside a trash bag in a closet, leading to multiple criminal charges against the University of Kentucky student.
Discovery of the Deceased Infant
On the morning of August 27, Lexington Police officers found an unresponsive infant wrapped in a towel and a trash bag at Snelling’s home. The baby was discovered in a closet inside the residence.
Officers pronounced the infant dead at the scene. The Lexington Police Department responded to the location after receiving information about the situation.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office has not yet released the official cause of death for the newborn. The investigation into the infant’s death remains ongoing as authorities work to determine what happened.
Arrest and Charges Against Laken Snelling
Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old University of Kentucky student and competitive cheerleader, was arrested on August 27. She faces three criminal charges related to the incident.
The charges include:
- Abuse of a corpse
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Concealing the birth of an infant
Snelling was booked into the Fayette County Detention Center following her arrest. Her bond was set at $100,000 on September 1.
Actions Taken at the Scene
According to the arrest report, Laken admitted to concealing the birth by cleaning evidence and wrapping up the newborn. Police documented the scene and collected evidence related to the case.
The Lexington Police Department conducted a thorough investigation at the residence. Officers gathered physical evidence and interviewed Snelling about the circumstances surrounding the infant’s death.
Snelling pleaded not guilty in a Lexington court on September 2. Court records show she must remain on house arrest and live with her parents as part of her bail conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
The charges against Laken Snelling include specific criminal counts related to concealing evidence and improper handling of remains. Police discovered the infant after responding to a call near the University of Kentucky campus.
What are the charges faced by the University of Kentucky cheerleader in relation to the infant found?
Laken Snelling faces three criminal charges related to the incident. The 21-year-old was charged with abusing a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
These charges stem from allegations that she hid the deceased infant to conceal the birth. Court documents show Snelling posted a $100,000 bond following her arrest.
She is currently on house arrest at her parents’ home in Jefferson City, Tennessee. The house arrest does not include an ankle monitor.
How did authorities discover the deceased infant in the cheerleader’s closet?
Police investigated a residence near Kentucky’s campus after receiving a disturbing call last week. The investigation led officers to search the property.
The baby was found wrapped in a towel and placed inside a trash bag in a closet. During questioning, Snelling admitted to giving birth and concealing the evidence.
She told officers she cleaned any evidence and placed all cleaning items in the same black trash bag with the infant. The admission came during a formal police interview.
What has been the University of Kentucky’s response to the incident involving the cheerleader?
The University of Kentucky has provided limited public statements about the case. The university only confirmed that Snelling was a member of the STUNT team for three seasons.
Officials directed all other questions to the Lexington Police Department. The university has not released additional details about the student or the investigation.
The STUNT team is part of the university’s official athletic program. No statements have been made about Snelling’s status with the team following her arrest.
Have there been any official statements from local law enforcement about the investigation?
The Lexington Police Department has released basic details about the charges and arrest. They confirmed the discovery of the infant and the circumstances surrounding the case.
Police provided information about the evidence found at the scene. They also disclosed details from Snelling’s interview where she admitted to concealing the birth.
The investigation remains active with multiple agencies involved. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office is investigating the infant’s cause of death.
What legal proceedings have taken place following the charges against the cheerleader?
Snelling appeared in court on Tuesday following her Sunday arrest. The court appearance was part of the initial legal process.
She was able to post the $100,000 bond set by the court. The bond conditions include house arrest at her parents’ home in Tennessee.
The case will continue through the legal system with future court dates expected. Additional proceedings will depend on the ongoing investigation and any new evidence discovered.
What support services are being offered to students at the University of Kentucky in light of the recent events?
The university has not announced specific support services related to this incident. Student counseling services are typically available through the university’s standard mental health resources.
The university maintains regular counseling and support programs for students facing difficult situations. These services operate independently of specific campus incidents.
Students can access mental health resources through the university’s existing support systems. No special programs have been publicly announced in connection with this case.
