Laken Snelling, a University of Kentucky student-athlete, has been arrested and charged with tampering with physical evidence, concealing the birth of an infant, and abuse of a corpse following the discovery of her newborn in a closet. The infant, described by authorities as ‘unresponsive,’ was found wrapped in a towel inside a black trash bag in a storage closet, prompting an investigation into the circumstances of the infant’s death. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office stated that the cause of death remains inconclusive, citing the need for further microscopic analysis of the infant’s remains.
Snelling, 21, was taken into custody after the Lexington Police Department responded to an incident involving an unresponsive infant, according to officials. She is a senior at the University of Kentucky and a member of the STUNT team, a head-to-head competition focused on the technical and athletic aspects of cheerleading. The university provided no immediate comment on the case, though Snelling’s position in the team highlights the growing prominence of cheerleading as a competitive sport in the United States.
A former high school classmate, Sydney Kite, accused Snelling of being a ‘serial bully,’ recounting incidents of physical and emotional harassment during their high school years. Kite described how Snelling allegedly tried to run her Jeep over one of her close friends, leading her to transfer schools to escape the bullying. Such allegations have added to the gravity of the current case, which has drawn national attention due to the unusual nature of the accusations and the involvement of a young athlete.
Snelling was released from jail on a $100,000 bond and placed on house arrest. She has pleaded not guilty to the charges, and her attorney has not yet commented publicly on the case. The incident has sparked broader discussions about the responsibilities of athletes, the role of school systems in addressing bullying, and the psychological factors that may contribute to such tragic events. Similar cases from the past, including the 1996 Delaware baby dump and the 1997 New Jersey prom incident, have also drawn public attention and legal scrutiny.
While the focus of the current case is on the alleged actions of Snelling and the investigation into the infant’s death, the broader implications of such cases continue to raise questions about the intersection of personal behavior, legal consequences, and societal expectations. The ongoing legal proceedings and public scrutiny are expected to remain in the spotlight as further details emerge.