A University of Kentucky STUNT team member, Laken Snelling, has been arrested after allegedly concealing her newborn’s death. The disturbing case has shocked the community and sparked outrage.
A quiet Lexington neighborhood was shaken to its core when a tragic discovery led to the arrest of 21-year-old Laken Snelling, a student at the University of Kentucky and a member of the school’s STUNT team. Snelling faces multiple felony charges after her newborn baby was found dead inside her home under disturbing circumstances.
Unresponsive Infant Found in Closet
On August 27, 2025, police responded to a chilling report from the 400 block of Park Avenue, where they discovered an unconscious infant. Tragically, the baby was declared dead at the scene. In the days following the discovery, investigators pieced together a horrifying story that ultimately led to Snelling’s arrest on August 31.
Alleged Concealment and Confession
According to police reports, Snelling, after being read her rights, confessed that she had given birth to the infant, but then concealed the birth. She reportedly cleaned up any evidence of the birth, placed the cleaning materials, and the baby—wrapped in a towel—into a black trash bag, and hid the infant inside a closet.
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Snelling has been charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. Authorities have not yet determined the official cause of death, and the Fayette County Coroner’s Office is currently conducting an investigation.
Bond and Current Status
After being booked into the Fayette County Detention Center, Snelling was released on a $100,000 bond on September 2. She pleaded not guilty during a court hearing and is now under home incarceration at her parents’ home in Tennessee, though she does not have an ankle monitor. Snelling’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 26.
The Special Victims Section of the Lexington Police Department continues to investigate the case. Authorities have asked anyone with relevant information to come forward.
A College Athlete’s Life in the Spotlight
Snelling was a member of the University of Kentucky’s STUNT team for several seasons. The university acknowledged her involvement in the team but has referred all further inquiries to local authorities. Despite her arrest, Snelling’s profile remains on the official team website, and she continues to be listed under her jersey number, 15.
In addition to her athletic involvement, Snelling had a significant presence on TikTok, where she gained over 10,000 followers. Her posts, which once depicted a picture of a normal college student, are now being revisited in light of her arrest.
@laken_snelling forgot to post this #cheersport #cheer #cheersportnationals #cheersport2021 #atlanta #fyp #fypchallenge #foryoupage #viral
Disturbing Social Media Posts Resurface
Among her TikTok posts, one from June 25 featured an image of Snelling alongside emojis representing aspects of her life, including a “mother holding a baby” emoji under the word “goals.” Another post, shared just a week earlier, showed romantic photos from what appeared to be a maternity shoot. In the wake of her arrest, viewers flocked to these posts, asking questions and expressing their confusion over the situation.
One comment read, “I’m confused, these look like a maternity shoot. What did everyone think happened to the baby? What was her mental state to do what she did?” Another user commented, “Yeah, I don’t think college-aged couples just do photos because they’re happy. 😔”
@laken_snelling ready for you megan💗 #meganmoroney #knoxville #night2 #amiokaytour #amiokaytour2025 @Connor Jordan
As the investigation continues, commenters have also questioned how Snelling’s family could have been unaware of what was happening, with some pointing out that photos online clearly showed Snelling pregnant. One person remarked, “You can’t tell me her family didn’t know! 😞 that poor baby.”
A Heartbreaking Tragedy
This case has left many in the Lexington community in shock, with people questioning how such a tragedy could have occurred under these circumstances. As the investigation continues and more details emerge, the focus remains on the loss of an innocent life and the emotional toll on those involved.
We extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by this tragedy.
