University death of infant discovered in wardrobe belonging to University of Kentucky athlete yet to determine definite cause

Lexington, Kentucky - Laken Snelling, a senior at the University of Kentucky and a member of the university's STUNT team, was arrested on Sunday and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.

According to the Fayette County Coroner's Office, the baby boy was born on Aug. 27. The baby is believed to belong to Snelling, authorities said.

Authorities were dispatched to Snelling's home in Lexington on Wednesday. Snelling, who appeared in court on Tuesday wearing a red dress, red lipstick, and her long blonde locks straightened, largely held her head down and said little to her attorney during the court appearance.

Snelling is accused of hiding her dead infant in a black trash bag in a closet. The baby found in her closet last weekend remains unsolved in terms of its cause of death. The preliminary autopsy results for the baby are inconclusive, and further tests are needed.

Snelling told officers that she had given birth and tried to conceal the evidence of the birth. However, she pleaded not guilty to the charges against her.

The University of Kentucky has confirmed Snelling's enrollment at the university and that she is a student athlete. The university, however, has said little about the case since Snelling's arrest. Snelling's attorney, Brandon Marshall, declined to comment.

The coroner asked the public to keep the family and friends, as well as the University of Kentucky community, in their thoughts and prayers. The coroner said on Wednesday that there was no additional information to be released and that he would give updates to the public as his investigation continued.

Snelling was released on a $100,000 bond and placed on house arrest at her parents' home in Jefferson City, Tennessee. The baby's case remains under investigation, and Snelling will next appear in court on Sept. 26.

It is unclear if Snelling knew she was pregnant when she gave birth, as abortion has been illegal in Kentucky since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The public awaits further updates as the investigation continues.

University death of infant discovered in wardrobe belonging to University of Kentucky athlete yet to determine definite cause