University of Kentucky Student Charged After Newborn Found in Trash

Lexington, Kentucky, September 28, 2025

News Summary

Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old former student at the University of Kentucky, faces serious charges after her deceased newborn baby was discovered in a trash bag in her closet. The tragic incident occurred at her apartment, prompting a police investigation. Snelling is charged with abuse of a corpse and concealing the birth of an infant. As the case unfolds, it has ignited discussions about responsibilities surrounding childbirth and legal consequences for such actions.

Lexington, Kentucky — Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old former University of Kentucky student, has been charged with multiple offenses following the tragic discovery of her deceased newborn baby in a trash bag in her closet. The infant was found unresponsive in her off-campus home on August 27, leading to an investigation that has captured public attention.

Snelling’s arrest took place last month after police responded to a call from a roommate who noticed suspicious noises. When officers arrived, they discovered the lifeless baby inside a closet. According to court documents, Snelling gave birth to the baby around 4 a.m. that day but believed the infant was not alive when she accidentally fell asleep on top of him.

Upon regaining consciousness, Snelling reported that she found the baby displaying a blue and purple coloration. She wrapped the infant in a towel for comfort but later admitted to placing the deceased baby’s body in a trash bag, which she then concealed in her closet. After the incident, Snelling left the apartment, misinforming her roommates that she was going to seek medical attention; instead, she was later found sitting in her car consuming McDonald’s food.

Medical personnel at a nearby hospital were informed that Snelling had heard a “whimper” and initially assumed the baby was alive at birth, a claim that contrasted with her statements made to investigators. A search of her phone revealed internet searches related to pregnancy and labor, alongside deleted images linked to the birth, suggesting an attempt to hide evidence. As the situation unfolded, the Fayette County Coroner’s Office confirmed that they had not yet determined the infant’s cause of death, indicating that further testing was necessary.

Snelling faces serious charges including abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. She has entered a plea of not guilty to these charges. Snelling waved her right to a preliminary hearing on September 26, and her case is set to be presented before a grand jury, although a date for this proceeding has yet to be established.

After her arrest, Snelling was held at the Fayette County Detention Center until her release on a $100,000 bond, at which point she was placed under house arrest in Tennessee. Following this incident, she has withdrawn from the University of Kentucky and is no longer a member of the school’s STUNT cheerleading team. The police investigation remains ongoing as authorities meticulously review all facts associated with the case while considering the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.

The legal proceedings and community response to the case have sparked discussions on the responsibilities surrounding pregnancy and the consequences of concealing a childbirth. As more information continues to emerge, community members and legal experts are paying close attention to the developments in Snelling’s case.

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Additional Resources

• WKYT: Court Records Reveal New Details in Laken Snelling Case
• People: Kentucky Cheerleader Laken Snelling Supported During Court Hearing
• NY Post: University of Kentucky Cheerleader Laken Snelling Heard Baby Whimper
• Fox 56 News: New Details Emerge in Laken Snelling Child Birth Case
• US Magazine: Kentucky Cheerleader Laken Snelling Appears in Court
• Wikipedia: Laken Snelling
• Google Search: Laken Snelling
• Google Scholar: Laken Snelling
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Laken Snelling
• 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.