A shocking case in Lexington, Kentucky has captured public attention as Laken Snelling, 21, a former University of Kentucky cheerleader, faces charges after a newborn baby was discovered dead in a closet of her off-campus home.
Authorities say the grim discovery came when an unidentified individual found the infant “cold to the touch” on August 27.
Police and emergency responders arrived at the scene, but Snelling was not present at the time.
She was located about five minutes away and taken to police headquarters, requesting a medical check before being formally arrested on August 30.
Allegations of Concealment
According to the Lexington Police Department, Snelling admitted to giving birth and concealing the infant by wrapping the baby in towels and placing it inside a black trash bag.
Officials described the actions as “treating the corpse in a way that would outrage ordinary family sensibilities.”
Snelling has pleaded not guilty to multiple charges, including abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
Meanwhile, a preliminary autopsy has been inconclusive, and investigators are conducting further analyses to determine the baby’s cause of death.
Signs of Pregnancy Went Unnoticed
Questions remain about whether Snelling had informed anyone she was pregnant.
Footage from April shows her performing with the UK STUNT team with what appears to be a visible baby bump.
Social media posts from June also showed her then-boyfriend, former college basketball player Connor Jordan, holding her stomach.
Despite these public indications, her pregnancy had largely gone unaddressed, raising further questions about her support system and awareness among friends and family.
A History of Bullying Allegations
Beyond the tragedy surrounding the infant, Snelling has a controversial past. F
ormer classmates describe her as “appearance-obsessed” and a serial bully during high school.
Allegations include cyberbullying, targeting students perceived as weaker, and even attempts to run over a classmate with a Jeep.
Sydney Kite, a former peer, recalled, “The bullying got so bad my friend had to transfer schools.
Even after she left, Laken continued online harassment. She was obsessed with attention, popularity, and appearance.”
Other social media accounts corroborate these claims, describing a pattern of intimidation and manipulation among classmates.
Current Legal Status
Snelling has been released on a $100,000 bond and is currently serving home incarceration at her parents’ house in Jefferson City, Tennessee. She is scheduled to appear in court again on September 26.
Authorities are also investigating the paternity of the infant.
Izaiah Hall, a college quarterback and former boyfriend, has undergone a DNA test to determine whether he is the father, as Snelling had also been involved with former basketball star Connor Jordan.
Community Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
The case has sparked widespread concern in the local community, highlighting issues of teen pregnancy, support networks, and accountability.
With the investigation ongoing and questions about the baby’s cause of death still unanswered, both legal and social ramifications continue to unfold for Snelling and those connected to her.