Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling wore pregnancy costume one year before baby’s death

On August 31, 2025, Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old University of Kentucky cheerleader, was taken into custody after police in Lexington, Kentucky, discovered her newborn baby boy had died inside a closet in her apartment. Officers reported that they found the infant on August 27, in a towel and placed inside of a trash bag. Fayette County Coroner's Office stated that the first autopsy was inconclusive and additional testing is being conducted. Snelling was charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant following an investigation. She was released on a $100,000 bond and is currently living with her parents in Tennessee pending her next court date on September 26, 2023.Months before the baby was found, Laken Snelling was still performing with the University of Kentucky STUNT cheer team. In April 2025, she joined the national STUNT championship in Nashville, Tennessee, against California Baptist University.An old video from that event re-emerged, where Snelling is being lifted by her teammates, and another cheerleader appears to be caught by Snelling after a flip. Online commenters then picked up on the fact that her stomach looked slightly stubby while she was performing in a spandex leotard. After her arrest, the university confirmed she was no longer a student, nor a member of the cheer team. A school spokesperson said, “She is not enrolled at this time and is not taking part in any school activities.”University Of Kentucky Cheerleader Laken Ashlee Snelling Arrested After Police Find Dead Baby In ClosetPolice said they were called to Snelling’s apartment on August 27 after a report of an unresponsive infant. Coroner Gary Ginn stated, “We are doing a careful and complete investigation. We want every detail to be right.”At her first court appearance on September 2, Snelling pleaded not guilty. Prosecutors said more charges, including homicide, could be added depending on the autopsy results.Investigators are reviewing Snelling’s phone records and messages. DNA testing is also underway to confirm the baby’s father. Detectives are interviewing her friends and teammates to learn more about her pregnancy and mental state.