Lexington, Kentucky, September 23, 2025
News Summary
Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old former University of Kentucky cheerleader, has been arrested after the tragic discovery of her deceased newborn, found concealed in her off-campus home. Emergency responders reported that the infant appeared cold to the touch, indicating he had been dead for several hours before the 911 call. Snelling faces multiple charges, including abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. Following her release on bond, she has been placed under house arrest while the investigation continues to unfold.
Lexington, Kentucky – Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old former cheerleader for the University of Kentucky, was arrested on August 31 following the tragic discovery of her dead newborn, a baby boy, found hidden in her off-campus residence. The infant was discovered on August 27, wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag located in a closet of her home on Park Avenue.
The circumstances surrounding the child’s death have shocked the community and raised numerous questions. At approximately 10:34 a.m. on August 27, a 911 call was made reporting the grim finding, with the caller stating that the baby was “cold to the touch.” Emergency responders indicated that the newborn had been deceased for a minimum of three to four hours before the 911 call was made, suggesting the infant had died several hours prior given the temperature of the body in accordance with medical guidelines regarding post-mortem cooling.
When authorities arrived at the scene, Snelling was not present. Officers managed to locate her about five minutes away from her residence shortly after the emergency call was made. Upon being questioned, Snelling confessed to giving birth and admitted to attempting to conceal the evidence, including placing the infant’s body in a trash bag.
As a result of these actions, she was charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. Following her arrest, the Fayette County Coroner’s Office performed a preliminary autopsy; however, the findings regarding the cause of death could not be determined and further microscopic analysis is required.
Snelling was released from the Fayette County Detention Center on September 2 after posting a $100,000 bond. Following her release, she was placed on house arrest at her parents’ home in Jefferson City, Tennessee. Additionally, Snelling has withdrawn from the University of Kentucky, where she was a senior and a member of the STUNT competitive cheer team. During her court appearance on September 2, she pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The investigation into the case continues, with many unanswered questions concerning the circumstances surrounding Snelling’s actions and the conditions that led to the birth and death of the infant. Authorities have not disclosed any information regarding the identity of the individual who made the 911 call, nor the specific details that may have contributed to Snelling’s decisions.
Local advocates supporting Safe Haven Laws have expressed concern that resources available for struggling mothers were not sought in this instance, which could have potentially prevented the loss of the infant’s life.
Key Information
- Name: Laken Snelling
- Age: 21
- Charges: Abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, concealing the birth of an infant
- Bond: $100,000
- Release Date: September 2
- Location: Lexington, Kentucky
- Incident Date: August 27
- Discovery Time: 10:34 a.m.
Background Context
The discovery of the newborn’s body has initiated discussions regarding support systems for expectant mothers in distress. Safe Haven Laws are intended to provide a safe and anonymous option for mothers to relinquish their newborns, thereby preventing tragic outcomes like this one. The ongoing investigation may reveal more about the case and the available help that could have been accessed.
FAQ
Who is Laken Snelling?
Laken Snelling is a 21-year-old former University of Kentucky cheerleader who was arrested after the discovery of her dead newborn in her closet.
What were the charges against Laken Snelling?
She was charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The investigation remains ongoing with many questions left unanswered regarding the circumstances of the birth and the infant’s death.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Laken Snelling |
| Age | 21 |
| Charges | Abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, concealing the birth of an infant |
| Bond Amount | $100,000 |
| Release Date | September 2 |
| Incident Date | August 27 |
| Investigation Status | Ongoing |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
University of Kentucky Cheerleader Charged in Infant’s Death
Former Cheerleader Arrested in Newborn’s Death Case
University of Kentucky Cheerleader Arrested in Infant’s Death
Charges Filed in Infant Death Case in Lexington
Investigation Launched After Newborn Found Dead in Kentucky
Former UK Cheerleader Charged in Infant’s Death
University of Kentucky Cheerleader Arrested in Infant Death Case
University of Kentucky Achieves Record Fall Enrollment
University of Kentucky Investigates Employee Over Insensitive Comments
Tragic Death of Newborn Found in Lexington Home
Additional Resources
- Oxygen: Laken Snelling Wasn’t Home When Her Baby’s Cold Body Was Found
- People: Laken Snelling Asked to Check Out Medically After Baby Discovered in Closet
- Fox 56 News: Ex-University of Kentucky Student Allegedly Leaves Baby in Closet Trash Bag
- Us Weekly: New Frustrating Reality of Cheerleader Laken Snelling’s Arrest Emerges
- NewsNation: Laken Snelling’s Home with Dead Infant
- Wikipedia: Safe Haven Laws
- Google Search: Laken Snelling
- Google Scholar: Laken Snelling
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Safe Haven Laws
- Google News: 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.
