University of Kentucky cheerleader arrested after allegedly stashing her dead baby in garbage bag, hiding body in closet



A University of Kentucky cheerleader has been arrested for hiding her dead infant inside a closet, according to police.

Laken Snelling, 21, is accused of wrapping her dead infant in a towel, placing it in a trash bag, and stashing the baby's body in a closet to conceal the recent birth, authorities said.

Snelling posted a $100,000 bond and is now on 'home incarceration with no ankle monitor.'

The city of Lexington issued a statement saying police officers were dispatched on a report of an unresponsive infant around 10:30 a.m. Aug. 27.

"When officers arrived, they located an infant that was pronounced deceased at the scene," authorities stated.

The Fayette County Coroner's Office is investigating the infant's cause of death.

Investigators with the Lexington Police Department identified Snelling as the mother of the dead baby.

Citing the arrest citation, WLEX-TV reported that investigators interviewed Snelling and that she "admitted to giving birth."

Snelling "admitted to concealing the birth by cleaning any evidence, placing all cleaning items used inside of a black trash bag, including the infant, who was wrapped in a towel," the arrest citation said.

RELATED: Mother confesses to killing her newborn because of 'expenses,' enlisting daughter to help dispose of baby still crying inside trash bag: Prosecutor

Police arrested Snelling on Sunday and booked her at the Fayette County Detention Center. Police said she was charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.

WLEX, citing a court document, said in a Tuesday update that Snelling posted a $100,000 bond and is now on "home incarceration with no ankle monitor." It's not clear exactly when she posted the bond.

The station, citing the document, added that Snelling is "to live with parents." WLEX also said Snelling reportedly entered a not guilty plea and is scheduled for a Sept. 26 court appearance.

The Lexington Police Department's Special Victims Section is investigating the infant's death.

NBC News reported that Snelling has been a "member of the competitive cheer stunt team" at the university and that it was "not clear" if she has a lawyer.

RELATED: Florida woman allegedly tried to sell baby daughter for $500 outside an H&R Block, then abandoned infant

Photo by benedek via iStock / Getty Images Plus

The university told WLEX in a statement, "We can confirm that she has been a member of the STUNT team for the last three seasons. All other questions should be directed to the Lexington Police."

University of Kentucky Athletics describes STUNT as "a head-to-head competition between two teams that focuses on the technical and athletic aspects of cheer. It is one of the fastest-growing female sports in the United States."

Snelling on Tuesday afternoon was still listed on the school's STUNT roster.

Police are urging anyone with information regarding the case to contact the Lexington Police Department at 859-258-3600 or submit anonymous tips to Bluegrass Crime Stoppers by calling 859-253-2020 or online at bluegrasscrimestoppers.com.

Like Blaze News? Bypass the censors, sign up for our newsletters, and get stories like this direct to your inbox. Sign up here!

EXCLUSIVE: University Of Kentucky Offers To Violate State Law To Trans Kids — Changes Tune When Reporter Notices

EXCLUSIVE: University Offers To Violate State Law To Trans Kids — Quickly Changes Tune When Reporter Takes Notice

Hillsdale Transfer Jack Gohlke Leads No. 14 Oakland In Stunning Victory Over No. 3 Kentucky

The No. 14 seed Oakland Grizzlies defeated the No. 3 seed Kentucky Wildcats in a stunning 80-76 upset Thursday night.

Kentucky Clinic Refutes Andy Beshear’s Claim That Youth Gender Reassignment Surgeries ‘Don’t Happen’ in State

A University of Kentucky clinic is admitting it performed gender reassignment surgeries on minors before state lawmakers passed a ban on those procedures—legislation that Democratic governor Andy Beshear vetoed because he said the surgeries "don't happen in Kentucky."

The post Kentucky Clinic Refutes Andy Beshear’s Claim That Youth Gender Reassignment Surgeries ‘Don’t Happen’ in State appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.

University of Kentucky Segregates Residential Assistant Training by Race

The University of Kentucky segregated its residential assistant diversity training by race, separating white and non-white RAs into separate groups.

The post University of Kentucky Segregates Residential Assistant Training by Race appeared first on Washington Free Beacon.

U. of Kentucky Faces Lawsuit over Plan to Remove Mural of State History

The University of Kentucky is facing a lawsuit over its plans to remove a mural that depicts various parts of American history. The mural, which has sparked controversy over its depiction of slaves and Native Americans, was painted in 1934 by artist Ann Rice O'Hanlon.