Lexington, September 27, 2025
News Summary
Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old former University of Kentucky athlete, faces serious charges following the discovery of her deceased infant son. The grand jury will evaluate evidence related to the charges of concealing the birth, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence. Snelling maintains her innocence and is currently out on bond under house arrest. The case’s developments are critical for determining future legal actions.
Lexington
Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old former student athlete at the University of Kentucky, has had her case regarding the death of her infant son sent to a grand jury. Snelling appeared in Fayette District Court on September 26, 2025, where she waived her right to a preliminary hearing. She faces multiple charges, including concealing the birth of an infant, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence.
The charges arise from a troubling incident on August 27, 2025, when officers were called to Snelling’s residence following reports of an unresponsive infant. Upon arrival, they discovered a baby boy without signs of life, hidden in a closet wrapped in a towel and placed inside a trash bag. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office declared the child dead at the scene, but preliminary findings regarding the cause and manner of death remain undetermined.
On August 31, 2025, Snelling was arrested—four days after the discovery of the infant. She has maintained a not guilty plea to the charges and is currently out on a $100,000 surety bond. As part of her release conditions, Snelling is under house arrest and required to live with her parents in Tennessee. Friends and family have attended her court hearings to show support.
A spokesperson for the University of Kentucky confirmed that Snelling was a senior and a member of the university’s STUNT team before she withdrew from the institution after her arrest. The grand jury will now review the evidence and decide whether to indict her on the charges she faces.
Key Facts about the Case
- Name: Laken Snelling
- Age: 21
- Charges: Concealing the birth of an infant, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence
- Date of Incident: August 27, 2025
- Date of Arrest: August 31, 2025
- Court Appearance Date: September 26, 2025
- Bond Amount: $100,000 surety bond
- Current Status: Out on bond, under house arrest
- University Status: Withdrawn from University of Kentucky
As the case progresses, the upcoming grand jury hearing will be crucial in determining the future legal proceedings for Snelling. The examination of the evidence will play a pivotal role in deciding whether charges against her will be upheld or modified.
FAQ
What are the charges against Laken Snelling?
Laken Snelling is charged with concealing the birth of an infant, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with physical evidence.
What happened to the infant?
The infant was found unresponsive in a closet a few days after birth. The cause of death is currently undetermined.
What has happened in court so far?
Snelling appeared in court, waived her right to a preliminary hearing, and was subsequently released on bond under specific conditions.
What will happen next in the case?
The case will be reviewed by a grand jury to determine whether Snelling will be indicted on the charges against her.
Key Features of this Case
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Name | Laken Snelling |
| Age | 21 |
| Charges | Concealing the birth of an infant, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence |
| Date of Incident | August 27, 2025 |
| Date of Arrest | August 31, 2025 |
| Court Appearance Date | September 26, 2025 |
| Bond Amount | $100,000 surety bond |
| Current Status | Out on bond, under house arrest |
| University Status | Withdrawn from University of Kentucky |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Lexington Woman Charged in Newborn’s Death
Former University of Kentucky Student Charged in Baby’s Death
Former University of Kentucky Student Charged in Infanticide Case
Former UK Student-Athlete Charged After Newborn Found Dead
University of Kentucky Proposes New Holding Company for Athletics
University of Kentucky Student Arrested in Infant’s Death
Infant Discovered in Lexington Home Sparks Investigation
Arrest of Former Cheerleader After Newborn Found Dead
University of Kentucky Cheerleader Charged in Infant’s Death
University of Kentucky Breaks Enrollment Record
Additional Resources
- WTVQ: Infant Death Case in Lexington Sent to Grand Jury
- Wikipedia: Laken Snelling
- WKYT: Case Against Fmr. UK Student Accused in Connection with Baby’s Death Waived to Grand Jury
- Google Search: Laken Snelling
- Kentucky: Former UK Student Arrested in Infant Death Case
- Google Scholar: Laken Snelling
- WLKY: Laken Snelling Hearing Kentucky Baby Death
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Laken Snelling
- Fox 56 News: New Details Emerge in Laken Snelling Child Birth Case
- 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.
