A member of the University of Kentucky’s STUNT cheer team, Laken Snelling, was arrested following the death of her newborn baby. Lexington police announced the arrest on Sunday, revealing that Snelling, 21, faces serious charges including abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
Authorities responded to a home on Park Avenue after receiving reports of an unresponsive baby around 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Upon arrival, officers sadly confirmed that the newborn was already deceased. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office is set to provide the official cause of death, pending further investigation.
According to an arrest citation reported by WLEX-TV, the infant was discovered in a closet, wrapped in a towel inside of a black trash bag. After being informed of her rights, Snelling admitted to giving birth and confessed to concealing the birth. She allegedly cleaned up any evidence, placing all cleaning items, including the baby, in the trash bag.
As of Monday, Snelling remains in custody at the Fayette County Detention Center. The University of Kentucky has acknowledged her participation on the STUNT team for the past three seasons, stating, “We can confirm that she has been a member of the STUNT team for the last three seasons.” The school’s athletics website lists her as a junior on the team, and she has appeared in various photos and posts on the university’s official social media accounts.
The investigation surrounding the circumstances of the baby’s death is ongoing, with police continuing to gather evidence and details in this tragic case.
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