Topline: A 21-year-old University of Kentucky student is accused of hiding her newborn’s body in a trash bag inside a closet, according to NBC Affiliate WLEX.
Published: September 3, 2025 8:16 am ET
Gavin Fish
I'm the founder of CrimeCod and I run a true crime YouTube channel you might be interested in.
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Laken Snelling, courtesy of the University of Kentucky.
LEXINGTON, KY — A University of Kentucky student accused in the death of an infant found in a closet pleaded not guilty in a Lexington courtroom on Tuesday and has been released to home incarceration without an ankle monitor, according to NBC Affiliate WLEX.
Court records obtained by WLEX show that 21-year-old Laken Snelling posted a $100,000 bond and is now required to live with her parents in Tennessee. Her next court appearance is scheduled for September 26.
According to an arrest citation obtained by WLEX, Lexington police responded to Snelling’s residence on August 27 after receiving a report about a deceased infant. Officers found the infant wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag, hidden in a closet.
Following a police interview, Snelling reportedly admitted to giving birth and then concealing the evidence, including cleaning supplies and the infant’s body, according to the citation.
Snelling was arrested on August 31 and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. At the time of her arrest, she was being held at the Fayette County Detention Center.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office is expected to determine the infant’s cause of death.
In a statement to WLEX, the University of Kentucky confirmed Snelling had been a member of the school’s STUNT team for the past three seasons but declined further comment, directing inquiries to law enforcement.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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A 21-year-old University of Kentucky student is accused of hiding her newborn’s body in a trash bag inside a closet, according to NBC Affiliate WLEX.
By Gavin Fish
Published: September 3, 2025 8:16 am ET
Laken Snelling, courtesy of the University of Kentucky.
LEXINGTON, KY — A University of Kentucky student accused in the death of an infant found in a closet pleaded not guilty in a Lexington courtroom on Tuesday and has been released to home incarceration without an ankle monitor, according to NBC Affiliate WLEX.
Court records obtained by WLEX show that 21-year-old Laken Snelling posted a $100,000 bond and is now required to live with her parents in Tennessee. Her next court appearance is scheduled for September 26.
According to an arrest citation obtained by WLEX, Lexington police responded to Snelling’s residence on August 27 after receiving a report about a deceased infant. Officers found the infant wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag, hidden in a closet.
Following a police interview, Snelling reportedly admitted to giving birth and then concealing the evidence, including cleaning supplies and the infant’s body, according to the citation.
Snelling was arrested on August 31 and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. At the time of her arrest, she was being held at the Fayette County Detention Center.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office is expected to determine the infant’s cause of death.
In a statement to WLEX, the University of Kentucky confirmed Snelling had been a member of the school’s STUNT team for the past three seasons but declined further comment, directing inquiries to law enforcement.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Cops Say University of Kentucky Cheerleader Gave Birth, Hid Baby’s Body in Closet
A 21-year-old University of Kentucky student is accused of hiding her newborn’s body in a trash bag inside a closet, according to NBC Affiliate WLEX.
By Gavin Fish
Published: September 3, 2025 8:16 am ET
Laken Snelling, courtesy of the University of Kentucky.
LEXINGTON, KY — A University of Kentucky student accused in the death of an infant found in a closet pleaded not guilty in a Lexington courtroom on Tuesday and has been released to home incarceration without an ankle monitor, according to NBC Affiliate WLEX.
Court records obtained by WLEX show that 21-year-old Laken Snelling posted a $100,000 bond and is now required to live with her parents in Tennessee. Her next court appearance is scheduled for September 26.
According to an arrest citation obtained by WLEX, Lexington police responded to Snelling’s residence on August 27 after receiving a report about a deceased infant. Officers found the infant wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag, hidden in a closet.
Following a police interview, Snelling reportedly admitted to giving birth and then concealing the evidence, including cleaning supplies and the infant’s body, according to the citation.
Snelling was arrested on August 31 and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. At the time of her arrest, she was being held at the Fayette County Detention Center.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office is expected to determine the infant’s cause of death.
In a statement to WLEX, the University of Kentucky confirmed Snelling had been a member of the school’s STUNT team for the past three seasons but declined further comment, directing inquiries to law enforcement.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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