Kentucky Cheerleader Accused of Hiding Deceased Baby Remains Silent Amidst Investigation
Laken Snelling, a former STUNT cheerleader for the University of Kentucky, has been accused of concealing her deceased baby in a closet at her residence in Lexington, Kentucky, leading to charges against her.
On August 27, Snelling, aged 21, was taken into custody following a police response to her Park Avenue home, where the infant's death was confirmed. The former University of Kentucky cheerleader entered a plea of not guilty to the three counts and was subsequently released on a $100,000 bond. Currently, she is under “home incarceration without an ankle monitor” and resides with her parents in Tennessee.
Authorities are continuing their investigation, and the Lexington police department has urged individuals with any knowledge pertaining to the incident to come forward. A preliminary hearing for Snelling has been set for September 26.
Continue reading for comprehensive details concerning the infant's demise.
Who Is Laken Snelling? Five Key Facts About the Kentucky Cheerleader
About Laken Snelling
For three seasons, Snelling was a member of the University of Kentucky's STUNT cheerleading squad. An official from the university informed Us Weekly on Friday, September 5, that Snelling is no longer enrolled as a student or associated with the STUNT team.
USA Cheer states that STUNT focuses on “the technical and athletic aspects of cheerleading, encompassing partner stunts, pyramid formations, basket tosses, group jumps, and tumbling routines.”
Hailing from White Pine, Tennessee, she also holds the title of a pageant contestant, having participated in the 2023 Jefferson County Fairest of the Fair competition.
Her TikTok profile suggested that as of June, Snelling was in a relationship with a boyfriend whose social media account seems to have been taken down.
University of Kentucky Cheerleader Expressed 'Aspiration' for Motherhood Prior to Infant's Passing
What Are the Allegations Against Her?
Snelling has entered a plea of not guilty to accusations including abuse of a corpse, obstruction of physical evidence, and hiding the birth of a baby.
Has Snelling Issued Any Statements Regarding the Incident?
While she has refrained from making public comments, Snelling did offer details to law enforcement personnel at the location, as per an arrest citation acquired by LEX 18 News. The document states that officials reported Snelling's acknowledgment of delivering the baby and her confession to “hiding the birth by removing all evidence, putting all cleaning supplies used into a black trash bag, along with the infant, who was enveloped in a towel.”
Kentucky Cheerleader Shared Photos From a Couples Shoot Several Months Prior to Infant's Death
What Was the Cause of Laken Snelling’s Infant’s Death?
An initial autopsy could not ascertain the cause of the infant's death, with the coroner’s office stating that “comprehensive microscopic examinations are crucial to establish the cause and manner of death.”
“I acknowledge the community’s distress and emotional response regarding the passing of a child,” stated Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn in a report acquired by Us Weekly. “We are undertaking a comprehensive and systematic death inquiry to guarantee that every detail is meticulously examined.”
University's Response to Her Arrest
Following Snelling’s arrest, the university issued a statement, advising all press inquiries be directed to the local police department.
The statement read, “We can verify that she was part of the STUNT team for the past three seasons. For any further questions, please contact the Lexington Police.”
