A University of Kentucky cheerleader was arrested after police discovered her deceased newborn hidden in a closet. Laken Ashlee Snelling, 21, faced charges including abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant following the grim discovery.
Lexington authorities found the baby wrapped in a towel inside a black trash bag within a closet at an off-campus residence. The arrest followed a social media post from Snelling, who listed “being a mother” as one of her life goals months prior to the incident. Her final TikTok entry on June 25 included a maternal emoji alongside aspirations such as marriage, homeownership, and financial stability.
Snelling was released on a $100,000 bond and placed under house arrest at her parents’ home in Jefferson City, Tennessee. During a court appearance, she remained largely silent, avoiding eye contact with the judge. The university confirmed her status as a senior and member of the competitive STUNT team.
The case has sparked public outrage, with social media users criticizing her actions following the revelation of the infant’s death.
