Laken Snelling, a former University of Kentucky cheerleader, found herself at the center of a heartbreaking case that shocked many people across America. The 21-year-old athlete from Tennessee went from being a successful student and sports team member to facing serious criminal charges. This article looks at who Laken Snelling is and what happened in her case.
Detailed Bio Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Laken Snelling |
| Age | 21 years old (as of 2025) |
| Hometown | White Pine, Tennessee |
| High School | Jefferson County High School |
| University | University of Kentucky (withdrew in 2025) |
| Athletic Team | STUNT Cheerleading Team |
| Years on Team | Three seasons |
| Major | Interdisciplinary Disability Studies |
| Other Achievements | Jefferson County Fairest of the Fair winner |
| Current Status | Under house arrest at parents’ home |
| Charges | Abuse of corpse, tampering with evidence, concealing birth |
| Bond Amount | $100,000 (posted) |
| Legal Status | Pleaded not guilty, awaiting grand jury decision |
Early Life and Background
Laken Snelling grew up in White Pine, a small town in eastern Tennessee, about 40 miles from Knoxville. She attended Jefferson County High School, where she was an active student. Before college, Snelling won the title of Jefferson County Fairest of the Fair, showing her involvement in local beauty pageants and community events. Her family still lives in the area and has supported her through this difficult situation.
University Life and Cheerleading Career
In 2022, Laken Snelling joined the University of Kentucky. She became a member of the school’s STUNT cheerleading team, where she performed for three seasons. STUNT is a competitive sport that focuses on the technical and athletic parts of cheerleading, including partner stunts, pyramids, basket tosses, and tumbling.
At UK, Snelling studied Interdisciplinary Disability Studies as her major. She was a senior when the incident happened. The STUNT team is one of the fastest-growing female sports in the United States, and being part of this team required dedication and athletic skill.
The August 2025 Incident
On August 27, 2025, police in Lexington, Kentucky received a call about an unresponsive infant at a home on Park Avenue, where Snelling lived off-campus. When officers arrived at around 10:30 in the morning, they found the body of a newborn baby boy in a closet. The infant was wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag.
According to police reports, someone called 911 saying the baby was “cold to the touch.” Officers pronounced the infant dead at the scene. The Lexington Police Department began an investigation right away.
Police Investigation and Arrest
Four days later, on August 31, 2025, police arrested Laken Snelling. She was charged with three crimes: abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
During police interviews, Snelling admitted to giving birth alone in her room. She told officers she was awake for about 30 minutes after the birth. During this time, she noticed “a little fetal movement” and heard a “whimper” from the baby, making her believe the baby might have been alive at birth.
However, Snelling said she then passed out and fell on top of the infant. When she woke up, she found the baby had turned blue and purple. Believing the child was dead, she wrapped the baby in a towel. She admitted to cleaning up evidence of the birth and placing everything, including the infant’s body, in a black trash bag in the closet.
Police found photos on Snelling’s phone showing her during labor. Her internet search history included searches for “concealed or hidden pregnancy,” which raised questions about whether she had planned to hide the pregnancy.
Medical Examination and Autopsy
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office performed an autopsy on the infant, but the results came back as “inconclusive.” This means doctors could not determine exactly how or why the baby died. The coroner’s report said that “extensive microscopic analyses are essential to determine the cause and manner of death.”
Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn stated, “I understand the community’s concern and sensitivity surrounding the death of a child. We are conducting a thorough and methodical death investigation to ensure all facts are carefully considered.”
The inconclusive autopsy results made the case more complicated. Without a clear cause of death, many questions remained unanswered.
Court Proceedings
On September 2, 2025, Laken Snelling appeared in court for the first time. She pleaded not guilty to all charges. The judge set her bond at $100,000, which her parents posted. As part of her release conditions, Snelling was placed under house arrest at her parents’ home in Tennessee without an ankle monitor.
On September 26, 2025, Snelling appeared in court again in a hearing that lasted only 35 seconds. She waived her right to a preliminary hearing, and her case was sent directly to a grand jury. A grand jury will decide if there is enough evidence to take the case to trial.
During her court appearances, Snelling was supported by family and friends. She has been represented by attorney Brandon Marshall throughout the legal process.
University Response
After the arrest, the University of Kentucky confirmed that Snelling was a senior and member of the STUNT team. The university soon announced that Snelling had withdrawn from school. A university spokesperson, Jay Blanton, confirmed that “as a result, Snelling is no longer on the stunt team as well.”
This withdrawal ended her college career and her time as a competitive cheerleader, marking a major change in her life.
Public Reaction
The case received significant media attention. Many people had different opinions about what happened. Some felt sympathy for Snelling, especially given the unclear circumstances of the baby’s death. Others were upset by the details of the case.
The case also raised discussions about access to healthcare for pregnant women, mental health support for young mothers, and Kentucky’s strict abortion laws. Some people pointed out that there was a Safe Haven Baby Box located just ten minutes from where Snelling lived, which allows people to safely and legally surrender newborns without facing criminal charges.
Current Status and Legal Implications
As of early 2026, Laken Snelling remains under house arrest at her parents’ home in Tennessee, waiting for the grand jury decision. The investigation continues, and authorities are still working to understand what happened.
The charges she faces are serious. Under Kentucky law, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence are Class D felonies. If convicted, these crimes carry penalties of one to five years in prison and fines up to $10,000 for each charge.
Snelling’s legal team continues to work on her defense. The case has not yet gone to trial, and many details about what will happen next remain unclear.
Conclusion
Laken Snelling’s story is a sad one involving a young cheerleader whose life changed completely in a short time. From being a successful student and athlete at the University of Kentucky to facing serious criminal charges, her case has captured attention across the country. As the legal process continues, the case serves as a reminder of how important support systems are for young people facing difficult situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Laken Snelling?
Laken Snelling is a 21-year-old former University of Kentucky STUNT cheerleader from White Pine, Tennessee, currently facing criminal charges.
2. What charges does she face?
She faces three charges: abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. She has pleaded not guilty.
3. What happened in August 2025?
Police found a deceased newborn infant in Snelling’s apartment on August 27, 2025. Snelling admitted to giving birth alone and concealing the birth.
4. What did the autopsy show?
The autopsy results were inconclusive, meaning doctors could not determine the exact cause of the infant’s death.
5. Where is she now?
Snelling is under house arrest at her parents’ home in Tennessee, awaiting a grand jury decision on her case.
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