Cheerleader Faces Potential Homicide Charges in Infant's Death

Former University of Kentucky competitive cheerleader Laken Snelling could imminently face elevated charges related to the demise of her infant.

The 21-year-old Snelling was apprehended on August 30, facing accusations of desecration of a body, obstruction of justice through evidence tampering, and hiding an infant's birth. It is alleged that on August 27, she delivered her baby and subsequently concealed the newborn within a trash bag inside a closet at her Lexington, Kentucky residence.

Appearing on Court TV on Thursday, October 2, legal expert Michael J. Brown, who has no involvement in the ongoing proceedings, suggested that homicide charges against Snelling are “absolutely” a strong possibility in the near future.

Brown stated, “My belief is they are merely awaiting the definitive medical examiner’s report to determine if they can pursue a homicide charge against her.” He added, “Their clear intention is to proceed with a homicide case.”

Laken Snelling Placed a McDonald’s Order After Allegedly Hiding the Newborn's Birth

On September 26, Snelling forfeited her entitlement to a preliminary hearing when she appeared in court. Consequently, the matter will now be presented to a grand jury.

At a court session on September 2, Snelling entered a not guilty plea for all accusations and was granted release on a $100,000 bond. Since then, she has been under home confinement at her parents' residence in Tennessee.

The reason for the baby’s death was deemed undetermined, according to a report from the Fayette County Coroner’s Office secured by Us Weekly on September 4, which noted that “thorough microscopic examinations are crucial to establish the cause and method of death.”

Lexington Police records, acquired by LEX18, indicated that an examination of Snelling’s phone revealed searches for “various subjects related to pregnancy, pictures of herself during childbirth, images of activities typically avoided by pregnant individuals, and information on hidden pregnancies.”

Brown elaborated, “Key pieces of evidence they possess include these searches demonstrating her concealment of the pregnancy, signifying her desire for secrecy.” He continued, “Furthermore, there are seemingly deleted photographs from during or after the birth, suggesting an attempt to obscure that information too.”

Brown further stated, “Upon receiving the conclusive autopsy report, and if they can ascertain the cause of death and potentially link it to the accused, I believe you will unequivocally see more charges, such as homicide, if not manslaughter. Murder is also a possibility.”

Lexington Police discovered the removed images on Snelling’s device, prompting them to hypothesize that “other material might have also been erased to conceal any traces of the pregnancy, delivery, and infant.”

Loud Disturbances Were Noticed by Laken Snelling’s Roommates at 4 a.m. on the Day of Her Delivery

Within the police report acquired by LEX18, Snelling claims she lost consciousness post-delivery and collapsed onto the infant. Upon regaining awareness, she observed the baby “discoloring to blue and purple” and purportedly placed the child in a trash bag within her closet.

On August 27, officials were alerted by an uninvolved individual about an infant discovered in a closet at their Lexington home, close to the University of Kentucky’s campus, described as “cold to the touch.”

During subsequent police interrogation, Snelling “confessed to delivering the baby” and to “obscuring the birth by clearing all evidence and placing all utilized cleaning materials, along with the towel-wrapped infant, inside a black trash bag.”

When apprehended, Snelling was enrolled at the University of Kentucky and participated in the institution’s STUNT cheerleading squad. A university representative informed Us Weekly on September 6 that Snelling is no longer a student there nor a member of the STUNT team.