Infant Discovered in Lexington Home Sparks Investigation

Lexington, Kentucky, September 23, 2025

News Summary

Authorities in Lexington, Kentucky, launched an investigation after a dead infant was found in a closet. The mother, a 21-year-old college student, has been arrested and charged with several offenses, including abuse of a corpse and concealment of birth. Her case highlights the troubling context of strict abortion laws in the state. The investigation continues as the coroner’s office works to determine the cause of death.

Lexington, Kentucky – A dead infant was found in a closet by police in the 400 block of Park Ave on August 27, 2025. The discovery sparked an immediate investigation, leading to the arrest of 21-year-old Laken Snelling, a student-athlete at the University of Kentucky, who is identified as the infant’s mother. Snelling has been charged with several offenses, including abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.

The 911 call reporting the discovery was made at around 10:35 a.m. on the same day. The caller informed dispatchers that the baby was “cold to the touch,” suggesting the infant had been deceased for some time. Upon arrival, authorities found the baby boy, wrapped in a towel and placed inside a trash bag among cleaning items.

In a subsequent interview with police, Snelling confessed to giving birth and concealing evidence related to the incident by disposing of the baby and cleaning supplies. As of September 2, 2025, the Fayette County Coroner’s preliminary report confirmed that the infant was a boy, but the exact cause and manner of death remain undetermined, pending further tests. Coroner Gary Ginn indicated that extensive microscopic analyses are required for such determinations.

Snelling, who is originally from White Pine, Tennessee, is a senior member of the University of Kentucky’s STUNT team, representing a new varsity sport focused on technical and athletic cheerleading. Authorities arrested her on August 31 and booked her into the Fayette County Detention Center, where her bond was set at $100,000.

After posting bond, Snelling is currently on home incarceration without an ankle monitor and is required to live with her parents in Tennessee. During her first court appearance on September 2, she pleaded not guilty to the charges against her. Snelling’s next scheduled court date is September 26, 2025.

The investigation into the case continues, with police refusing to release further details as inquiries remain ongoing. This disturbing incident occurs in the context of Kentucky’s strict abortion laws, which do not allow exceptions for rape or incest. Analysts suggest that such legislation may have influenced Snelling’s actions, though investigations have yet to confirm this link.

Summary of Facts

• Date of Baby Discovery: August 27, 2025
• Location: 400 Block of Park Ave, Lexington, Kentucky
• Mother’s Name: Laken Snelling, Age: 21
• Charges: Abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, concealing the birth of an infant
• Next Court Date: September 26, 2025
• Bond Amount: $100,000
• Current Status: On home incarceration
• Infant’s Gender: Male
• Coroner’s Report Status: Cause and manner of death pending

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HERE Resources

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Former UK Cheerleader Charged in Infant’s Death
University of Kentucky Cheerleader Arrested in Infant Death Case
Tragic Death of Newborn Found in Lexington Home
Former Student-Athlete Arrested for Concealing Infant’s Death
University of Kentucky Student Pleads Not Guilty in Infant Death Case
Death Investigation in Lexington Raises Community Concerns

Additional Resources

• Fox 56 News
• Wikipedia: Abuse of a corpse
• WKYT
• Google Search: Kentucky infant death
• Kentucky.com
• Google Scholar: Concealing the birth of an infant
• USA Today
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Legal abortion
• WLWT
• 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.