A cheerleader who was studying at the University of Kentucky has been accused of dumping her newborn in a trash.
Now, new information is coming to light. Keep reading to learn more.
Laken Snelling, a STUNT cheerleader at the University of Kentucky, was arrested late last month after law enforcement found a dead infant that was described as having been ‘wrapped in a towel inside a black trash bag’. The infant had been stuffed inside a closet in her accommodation, which had been off campus.
Since the body was found, it was determined that Snelling, an Interdisciplinary Disability Studies student from Tennessee, was its biological mother. She also later ‘admitted to giving birth’ when she was questioned.
Snelling has also reportedly confessed to cleaning up the evidence of the brith and discarding the infant in the trash bag, according to her arrest report.
The 21-year-old from White Pine, Tennessee has now been charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and also concealing the birth of an infant, a charge which she has plead not guilty for.
A DNA test is underway to determine the paternity of the infant. Snelling’s ex-boyfriend, Izaiah Hall, is said to be the child’s father, according to new information that has come to light just days after Snelling’s arrest.
Lexington Herald Leader, Kentucky University spokesperson Jay Blanton has confirmed that Snelling has withdrawn from the Lexington-area school as of Friday, last week.
She is also not a member of the STUNT team, a group she performed with for three years. Blanton did not specify the date Snelling officially unenrolled.
After she plead not guilty, she was released on a $100,000 bond by a Fayette District Court judge on Tuesday last week. She has been ordered to live with her parents till her next appearance due at court on September 26.
The baby was pronounced dead at the scene when they came to the residence due to reports about an ‘unresponsive infant.’
Fayette County Coroner’s Office initially determined the cause of death in the autopsy report as inconclusive, saying that it will be conducting an ‘extensive microcosmic analyses’ to determine the cause of death.
It is not known when and where Snelling gave birth, whether she had a miscarriage, or if the baby was born alive, or whether it was a stillbirth. It is also not known whether Snelling was even aware that she is pregnant.
Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn issued a statement saying, “I understand the community’s concern and sensitivity surrounding the death of a child. We are conducting a thorough and methodical death investigation to ensure all facts are carefully considered.”
The child’s paternity is also under question as Hall’s family confirmed to The Daily Mail that he had indeed given a DNA sample to help with the investigation.
Snelling previously dated Hall before she reportedly entered a new relationship with former basketball star Jordon Connor.
Before she had been arrested, the college student had uploaded a TikTok in which she talks about her aspirations for the year, which included an engagement ring, a house, money, and a baby.
If Snelling is found guilty, she faces up to one to five years in prison as this is considered a Class D felony in the state of Kentucky. The termination of a pregnancy is also illegal except in cases where abortion is necessary to save the mother’s life or prevent a disabling injury.
