The University of Kentucky community has been left stunned after one of its students, a cheerleader, was accused of hiding the body of her newborn baby inside her closet.
The disturbing case has not only sparked headlines but also raised difficult questions about secrecy, desperation, and the state’s strict abortion laws.
Student Released on $100,000 Bond
Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old senior at the university, was taken into custody on Saturday in Lexington.
She now faces charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, she was released from jail after posting a $100,000 bond.
Court Appearance and Home Confinement
On Tuesday, Snelling appeared before a judge, where she pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The court ordered her to remain under home incarceration at her parents’ house while awaiting trial.
Interestingly, she will not be required to wear an ankle monitor during this time. Her next court date is set for September 26.
The Startling Discovery
Police were first called to her Lexington residence last Wednesday morning following a report that an infant’s body had been found inside a closet.
Responding officers confirmed the tragic discovery, with the baby pronounced dead at the scene around 10:30 a.m.
What Investigators Found
According to the arrest citation, the infant’s body was found wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag.
Investigators said Snelling admitted to concealing the birth, cleaning up evidence, and placing both the cleaning supplies and the baby inside the bag.
Authorities have not revealed who initially reported the incident.
Her Role on Campus
Snelling was not just any student—she was a member of the university’s competitive STUNT cheer team.
In a statement, the school confirmed she had been part of the squad for the past three seasons but declined to provide further comment, directing inquiries instead to the police.
Background and Studies
Hailing from White Pine, Tennessee, Snelling had been pursuing a degree in Interdisciplinary Disability Studies.
For many who knew her, the news of the charges has come as a shock.
The Bigger Picture in Kentucky
This case also highlights the broader debate around reproductive rights in Kentucky.
Since 2022, the state has enforced one of the strictest abortion bans in the country, with no exceptions for rape or incest.
The only circumstances in which an abortion is legal are if the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life or risks permanent damage to a vital organ.