University of Kentucky Cheerleader Arrested After Infant Found Dead In Closet
LEXINGTON, Ky. — A 21-year-old University of Kentucky cheerleader has been arrested after police discovered her newborn baby dead inside a trash bag in a closet, a case that has shocked the campus and raised difficult questions about reproductive rights, secrecy, and support for young women facing crisis pregnancies.
The student, identified as Laken Snelling, now faces multiple charges, including abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. She remains in custody at the Fayette County Detention Center as investigators work to determine the infant’s cause of death.
Infant Found Wrapped In Towel And Hidden
According to the Lexington Police Department, officers responded to a report of an unresponsive infant on August 30 at a residence on Park Avenue, not far from the UK campus. Inside, they made a grim discovery: the baby’s body was wrapped in a towel, placed inside a black trash bag, and hidden in a closet.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office will confirm the cause of death in the coming days, but police said Snelling admitted to giving birth shortly before the discovery.
“This was reported as an unresponsive infant, but the investigation revealed a concealed birth and concealment of the body,” officers noted in their report.
Charges Filed Against Laken Snelling
Snelling is charged with:
- Abuse of a corpse
- Tampering with physical evidence
- Concealing the birth of an infant
All three charges carry serious penalties under Kentucky law. Abuse of a corpse is a Class D felony punishable by up to five years in prison.
The Lexington Police Department’s Special Victims Section is handling the case. Authorities are also urging anyone with information to contact police at (859) 258-3600 or provide anonymous tips through Bluegrass Crime Stoppers.
Who Is Laken Snelling?
On the surface, Snelling represented the ideal student-athlete. Originally from White Pine, Tennessee, she was a senior at the University of Kentucky and a three-year member of the school’s STUNT cheerleading team.
The university confirmed her team status but distanced itself from the case:
“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,” a UK spokesperson said.
Context: Kentucky’s Abortion Ban
The arrest comes at a time when Kentucky enforces some of the strictest abortion laws in the country. Since 2022, nearly all abortions have been illegal in the state, following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade. Exceptions exist only in cases where the mother’s life is in danger, but not for rape or incest.
That legal landscape has left women — particularly young students like Snelling — with few safe or legal options when facing an unexpected pregnancy. Critics argue that the lack of reproductive health resources contributes to desperate acts.
“Almost all abortions are prohibited within the state, and so girls like Snelling have essentially nowhere legal or safe to turn,” one analysis noted.
While authorities have not directly tied Snelling’s actions to Kentucky’s abortion ban, the timing and context cannot be ignored.
The Safe Haven Alternative
Kentucky also has a Safe Haven Infant Protection Act, first passed in 2002 and expanded in recent years. The law allows a parent to legally and anonymously surrender a newborn younger than 30 days old at designated Safe Haven locations — including hospitals, police stations, fire departments, and more recently, baby drop boxes installed at firehouses.
Under this law, a parent will not face criminal charges if the baby is surrendered safely.
Despite these protections, awareness of Safe Haven laws remains low. Advocates point out that many young women — particularly those in crisis, isolated, or in denial about pregnancy — may not know they exist or may fear the stigma of using them.
Campus Reaction And Broader Questions
The University of Kentucky campus community is grappling with the disturbing case. Students expressed shock that someone so publicly visible — a cheerleader performing at athletic events — could be hiding such turmoil.
Parents of UK students have also raised concerns about mental health support, reproductive counseling, and crisis resources available to young women.
“Why did she keep it a secret? Was it desperation, denial, or something else?” one community member asked, reflecting the confusion that lingers.
A Picture-Perfect Life Shattered
Snelling’s arrest underscores the contrast between outward appearances and private struggles. On paper, she was the type of student a university might highlight: a senior, athlete, and team member with years of dedication. Yet behind the uniform, police allege she concealed a devastating personal crisis that ended in tragedy.
What Comes Next
The coroner’s report will establish the cause of death and could determine whether further charges are filed. If evidence suggests the baby was born alive, prosecutors may pursue additional counts, potentially including homicide.
Meanwhile, Snelling remains jailed as legal proceedings begin. Her case has already sparked national coverage, drawing attention not just to one tragic event, but to the broader tensions between abortion bans, Safe Haven laws, and the reality faced by young women with limited options.
A Tragedy And A Conversation
This case has ignited difficult conversations across Kentucky and beyond. Advocates argue that more must be done to raise awareness about Safe Haven protections, expand access to reproductive and mental health resources, and address the stigma that isolates women facing crisis pregnancies.
At its core, the tragedy of Laken Snelling and her newborn represents not only a criminal matter but also a public health and social issue — one that forces Kentucky to confront the consequences of its laws and the gaps in its safety nets.
As investigators continue their work, the questions linger: What resources did Snelling have? Could this death have been prevented? And how many more young women are silently facing similar crises in a state with so few options?
For ongoing coverage of this case and the broader debates around reproductive rights and campus safety, follow ChicagoMusicGuide.com.