A 21-year-old University of Kentucky student and member of the competitive STUNT cheer team, Laken Ashlee Snelling, was arrested in late August after authorities discovered the body of a newborn hidden in a closet at an off-campus residence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lexington police were dispatched on August 27 to investigate a report of an unresponsive infant. Upon arrival, officers found the deceased baby wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag in a closet. The infant was pronounced dead at the scene.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During questioning, Snelling reportedly admitted to giving birth and attempting to conceal the evidence by placing the infant and cleaning materials in the same trash bag.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Snelling has been charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant, all class D felonies in Kentucky. If convicted, she could face one to five years in prison and fines of up to $10,000.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She appeared in court on September 2, pleaded not guilty, and was released on a $100,000 bond. Snelling is currently under house arrest at her parents\u2019 home in Jefferson City, Tennessee, approximately 200 miles from Lexington.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Fayette County Coroner\u2019s Office conducted an autopsy, but the cause and manner of death remain inconclusive. A more detailed forensic examination, including microscopic analyses, is ongoing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In social media posts from June, Snelling had included \u201cmotherhood\u201d among her personal goals, using an emoji featuring a mother holding a baby\u2014adding a layer of public scrutiny to the unfolding case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Her next court appearance is scheduled for September 26.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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