Kentucky STUNT Team Member Laken Snelling Withdraws From School After Charges in Infant’s Death
LEXINGTON, Ky. — University of Kentucky student Laken Snelling, a former member of the school’s STUNT team, has officially withdrawn from classes after being charged in connection with the death of her newborn baby, according to reporting from the Lexington Herald-Leader and On3.
Criminal Charges and Arrest
Snelling was arrested after police discovered a baby wrapped in a towel inside a trash bag in her closet on August 27. The child was pronounced dead at the scene, and questions surrounding the cause of death remain under investigation.
She has pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of a corpse, concealing the birth of an infant, and tampering with physical evidence, according to TMZ.
“Snelling told officers she was the child’s mother and admitted to concealing the birth by cleaning any evidence, placing all cleaning items used inside of a black trash bag, including the infant,” sources told TMZ.
Snelling was booked at the Fayette County Detention Center, later posting a $100,000 bond, and is currently under home incarceration at her parents’ home in Tennessee.
Autopsy Findings and Investigation
An autopsy conducted by the Fayette County Coroner’s Office was initially inconclusive.
“Extensive microscopic analyses are essential to determine the cause and manner of death,” the office said in its report.
The uncertainty leaves investigators continuing to explore what happened to the child, whether additional charges may be filed, and if anyone else might have been involved.
The case has drawn widespread attention both on campus and beyond, with many awaiting clarity on the cause of death and the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
Impact on the University of Kentucky
A spokesperson for the University of Kentucky confirmed Snelling’s withdrawal, though the school did not provide additional comment on her case.
Her departure from the Kentucky STUNT team comes amid growing attention on student-athletes facing off-the-field legal challenges. For now, the university is working to maintain privacy and ensure due process while the legal system handles the investigation.
The case surrounding Laken Snelling remains active as officials await final autopsy findings. For more updates on this developing story and other local news coverage, visit ChicagoMusicGuide.com.