Lexington, Kentucky, September 16, 2025
News Summary
Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old ex-student-athlete, faces serious charges after a newborn’s remains were discovered in her home. The incident has raised concerns about concealed births and the responsibilities of new parents. After being charged with concealing the birth and tampering with evidence, Snelling has pleaded not guilty. The investigation revealed she admitted to cleaning evidence and placing the infant in a trash bag. Snelling’s next court appearance is set, and the community is mourning the tragic loss.
Lexington, Kentucky – Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old former student-athlete from the University of Kentucky, has been charged with serious offenses after the remains of a newborn baby boy were discovered in a trash bag at her residence. The tragic incident unfolded on August 27, when authorities received a 911 call reporting the infant was “cold to the touch.”
Upon arrival at the scene later that morning, police found the newborn wrapped in a towel and placed inside a trash bag, which was also containing cleaning supplies. Following the discovery, an investigation was launched, leading to Snelling’s arrest on August 31. She faces charges of concealing the birth of an infant, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse.
Snelling, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges as of her court appearance on September 5, admitted during police interviews to cleaning evidence and placing the infant in the trash bag. At the time the baby was found, Snelling was not present at the location and did not call the police herself. She was located near the scene around 11 a.m. that day and subsequently taken to a police station for medical evaluation. By 4:58 p.m. on the same day, she was officially arrested.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office has confirmed that the deceased infant was a baby boy. However, further testing is needed to establish the cause of death and the gestational age of the child. Following her arrest, Snelling posted a bond of $100,000 and was released from the Fayette County Detention Center on September 2. In the aftermath, she has withdrawn from the University of Kentucky, where she was previously a member of the STUNT cheerleading team.
Snelling’s next court appearance is set for September 26, where a pretrial conference will take place. During this time, police testimony may be presented. Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling has expressed concerns regarding the spread of misinformation on social media related to this case, acknowledging the potential complications it poses for jury selection in high-profile criminal matters.
This shocking event has drawn attention to the sensitive issues surrounding concealed births and the responsibility of new parents. As the legal proceedings continue, the community remains in mourning following the loss of the infant and grapples with the circumstances leading up to this tragic event.
FAQ
Who is Laken Snelling?
Laken Snelling is a 21-year-old former University of Kentucky cheerleader charged with offenses related to the death of a newborn baby.
What were the charges against her?
She faces charges of concealing the birth of an infant, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse.
When was the baby found?
The baby was discovered on August 27, 2023.
What has the coroner’s office stated?
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office confirmed the baby was a boy and that more tests are needed to determine the cause of death and gestational age.
When is Laken Snelling’s next court appearance?
Her next court appearance is scheduled for September 26, 2023.
What concerns has the Commonwealth’s Attorney raised?
Commonwealth’s Attorney Ronnie Bowling noted concerns about misinformation on social media and its impact on jury selection.
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Additional Resources
- WKYT
- Google Search: Laken Snelling
- NewsNation
- Wikipedia: Concealed birth
- Fox56 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Infanticide
- Kentucky.com
- Google Scholar: Laken Snelling
- New York Post
- Google News: Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling
Author: STAFF HERE LEXINGTON KY STAFF
The LEXINGTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERELexingtonKY.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Lexington, Fayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Woodland Art Fair, Crave Food and Music Festival, and Railbird Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like Commerce Lexington and Blue Grass Community Foundation, plus leading businesses in education, manufacturing, and technology that power the local economy such as University of Kentucky, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, and Lexmark. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBowlingGreen.com and HERELouisville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Kentucky's dynamic landscape.
