Laken Snelling, 21, Pleads Not Guilty After Baby Found Dead in Closet, Court Orders Her to Live With Parents

A 21-year-old University of Kentucky student charged in the death of her newborn was released on bond and pled not guilty while still being investigated, court filings and police said.

The Arrest and Conditions of Bond

UK senior Laken Snelling was released to house imprisonment without ankle monitor after she paid a $100,000 bond, court filings indicate. It was a release stipulation that she “live with parents.” Snelling was in court Tuesday and entered a plea of not guilty to three counts of abuse of a corpse, tampering with bodily evidence, and concealing birth of an infant. Her next court date is September 26 at 8:30 a.m.

What Police Say Happened

Police officers were called just after 10:30 a.m. on August 28 to a house in the 400 block of Park Avenue after a caller reported that a child was unresponsive. While clearing out the house, police officers discovered a dead newborn in a closet, swatched in a towel and left inside a black trash bag, police said in an arrest affidavit.

Investigators say Snelling identified herself as the baby’s mother. The affidavit states she admitted to giving birth and cleaning up evidence of the delivery.

Police brought Snelling in last week. She was booked Sunday and, according to court records, released Monday night after posting bond. She entered court on Tuesday.

Charges at a Glance

• Abuse of a corpse

• Interference with physical evidence

• Concealing birth of a newborn

Each of these counts remains in its initial stage, and Snelling is assumed innocent until and unless she is established to be guilty in a court of law.

University Status

A university spokesperson verified that Snelling is currently attending as a senior. Her name appears on the stunt team roster of that school. STUNT is a cheer-born, competitive collegiate sport that is overseen by USA Cheer.

What Is Unclear

Police haven’t disclosed details of who reported the initial call to law authorities. Special Victims Section of the Lexington Police Department investigates the case that authorities affirm is still ongoing. Fayette County Coroner will determine cause and manner of death of the baby.

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