A University of Kentucky competitive cheerleader has been charged in connection with the death of her infant.
Laken Snelling, 21, was arrested on Aug. 31, according to the Lexington Police Department.
Police said in a
statement that officers were dispatched on Aug. 27 at 10:30 a.m. to an unresponsive infant at a residence in the 400 block of Park Ave. The infant was pronounced dead at the scene.
It's unclear how the infant died.
Snelling is the infant’s mother, police confirmed.
She has been charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
NTD has submitted a public records request for additional information on the case.
Snelling is listed on the roster as a competitive cheerleader on the University of Kentucky’s stunt team, according to the
school’s athletics website. The student athlete is originally from White Pine, Tennessee, and attended Jefferson High School, her sports biography states.
NTD reached out to the university’s athletics department seeking comment. The spokesperson told NTD in an emailed statement that Snelling is a senior at the university and confirmed she is part of the cheer team. The university declined to offer additional details.
According to Snelling’s personal
Facebook page, she studies Interdisciplinary Disability Studies at the university.
Snelling's last
TikTok post on June 25 suggests that one of her goals was to start a family. The social media post includes an emoji of a mother holding a baby as part of her list of goals. It also featured an emoji of a ring, suggesting she wants to get married, along with starting a family.
Snelling is being held at the Fayette County Detention Center, according to police. NTD reached out to the Fayette County Detention Center to confirm whether she is still being held or has posted bond.
It’s unclear whether Snelling has retained legal representation.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office will release the infant’s cause of death, according to police.
The Lexington Police Department's Special Victims Section continues to investigate the case.
Nearly all abortions have been illegal in Kentucky following the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. Abortion in the state is prohibited except in cases to prevent the patient's death or serious and permanent impairment of a life-sustaining organ. The so-called "
trigger ban" was enacted in June 2022, according to
the Center for Reproductive Rights. The law notably does not provide exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
