What began as a routine police call in Lexington quickly spiraled into a case that has stunned many across the country.
A 21-year-old former University of Kentucky cheerleader, once seen performing impressive stunts on the sidelines, is now facing serious charges after authorities discovered a deceased infant inside her apartment.
The Charges Against Laken Snelling
Laken Snelling has pleaded not guilty to three major charges: abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
Police allege that Snelling gave birth to the baby before placing him in a trash bag and leaving him inside her closet.
While she admitted to giving birth, investigators have not yet confirmed how or why the baby died.
Unanswered Questions About Her Pregnancy
One of the most pressing mysteries is whether anyone knew Snelling was pregnant.
In April, just months before her arrest, she was still performing with the University of Kentucky’s STUNT team.
Footage from those performances appears to show what looked like a baby bump.
The university later confirmed that Snelling is no longer enrolled as a student but declined to comment on whether her coaches knew about her pregnancy.
It’s also unclear if she left school voluntarily or was dismissed.
Social Media Posts Raise More Questions
Adding to the intrigue, Snelling had shared photos back in June where her then-boyfriend, former college basketball player Connor Jordan, was pictured holding her stomach—again suggesting a noticeable bump.
Other images posted around the same time also showed her with what appeared to be signs of pregnancy.
Her First Court Appearance
Snelling appeared in court on Tuesday, where she was released on a $100,000 bond.
She has been placed under home incarceration at her parents’ home in Jefferson City, Tennessee.
During the hearing, she mostly kept her head down as the judge read out her conditions of release, occasionally nodding in acknowledgment.
Her father was seen holding her hand as the family quietly exited the courtroom.
The Disturbing Discovery
According to police records, officers were called to her Lexington apartment last Wednesday morning after a report of a deceased infant inside a closet.
The baby was found wrapped in a towel and placed in a black trash bag.
An arrest citation noted that Snelling had attempted to conceal the birth by cleaning up evidence and hiding both the supplies and the infant.
Authorities emphasized in their report that treating the baby’s body in such a way would “outrage ordinary family sensibilities.”
The infant was pronounced dead at the scene, but an autopsy is still pending to determine the cause of death.
What Happens Next
Snelling’s case is scheduled to return to court on September 26. Until then, she remains under strict conditions at her parents’ home.
As the investigation continues, key questions remain unanswered—most notably how the baby died and whether anyone in her close circle knew about the pregnancy.