Lexington, Kentucky, September 16, 2025
News Summary
Laken Snelling, a former student at the University of Kentucky, faces multiple charges related to the death of her infant son. The baby’s body was found in a trash bag in a Lexington home, prompting an ongoing investigation. Snelling admitted to concealing the birth, leading to charges of tampering with evidence and abuse of a corpse. The community is left shocked and questioning the circumstances surrounding this tragic incident, while Snelling is currently under home incarceration following her arrest.
Lexington, Kentucky
A 21-year-old former University of Kentucky student, Laken Snelling, has been charged with multiple offenses related to the death of her infant. The baby was discovered deceased in a closet of a home on Park Avenue shortly after a police call was made on August 27, 2025, to report that the infant was “cold to the touch,” suggesting that some time had elapsed since the death.
Authorities arrived at the scene at approximately 10:35 a.m. and found the baby boy wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag alongside cleaning items. Following an investigation, Snelling has been charged with concealing a birth, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse.
During a police interview, Snelling admitted to having given birth and attempting to hide the event by cleaning up evidence of the birth. The Fayette County Coroner’s report confirmed the child was male, though it has not yet determined the cause or manner of death; further tests are ongoing. The report did not specify the infant’s gestational age.
As the investigation unfolds, police have withheld additional details due to its ongoing nature. Snelling is originally from White Pine, Tennessee, and previously was a member of the University’s STUNT team. Her next court date is set for September 26, 2025, where she has pleaded not guilty to the charges during a September 2 appearance in court.
Snelling was released on a $100,000 bond following her arrest and is currently under home incarceration in Tennessee with her parents. The University of Kentucky Police Department played a role in locating Snelling when she was not found at home during the initial police response.
The incident has raised numerous questions within the local community, prompting discussions around the circumstances that led to this tragic case.
Key Details
- Incident Date: August 27, 2025
- Location: Park Avenue, Lexington, Kentucky
- Charges: Concealing a birth, tampering with physical evidence, abuse of a corpse
- Court Date: September 26, 2025
- Bond: $100,000, currently on home incarceration
Background Context
The University of Kentucky, where Snelling was a student, has been part of the ongoing investigation, which has drawn attention from the community and raised various questions regarding both the birth and the conditions that surrounded this unfortunate event. As more information becomes available, it will likely continue to inform both the legal proceedings and community discussions surrounding the welfare of mothers and infants.
FAQs
What charges has Laken Snelling faced?
Laken Snelling has been charged with concealing a birth, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse.
What was found at the scene?
Law enforcement discovered the baby wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag along with cleaning items in a closet.
What is the status of the investigation?
The investigation is ongoing, and police have not disclosed additional details.
When is the next court appearance scheduled?
Snelling’s next court date is set for September 26, 2025.
Where is Laken Snelling currently residing?
After being released on bond, Snelling is under home incarceration in Tennessee with her parents.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
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Additional Resources
- Kentucky.com: Tragic Baby Death
- WKYT: 911 Call Details
- Fox 56 News: Police Records on Baby’s Death
- USA Today: University Student Charged
- WLWT: Arrest in Infant Death Case
- Wikipedia: Infanticide
- Google Search: Kentucky Baby Death
- Google Scholar: Kentucky Infant Death Legal Case
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Child Protection
- Google News: Kentucky Infant Death
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.
