Former University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling, 21, was arrested on August 30, 2025, following the discovery of an infant’s remains at her Lexington home. She faces multiple charges, including abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. She has pleaded not guilty.
Release on Bond
Snelling was released on a $100,000 bond and is currently living with her parents in Tennessee. According to court records, she remains on home incarceration but without an ankle monitor. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 26, with the investigation still ongoing under the Lexington Police Department.
Court Appearance in Lexington
On September 2, Snelling appeared in a Lexington courtroom where she formally entered her plea of not guilty. Prosecutors outlined the charges, while defense attorneys argued she should remain free on bond pending further hearings. The judge allowed her to continue under home incarceration until her next scheduled court date.
Incident Leading to Arrest
Police were first called to Snelling’s residence on August 27 after reports of an unresponsive infant. According to the arrest citation, authorities discovered the child “wrapped in a towel inside of a black trash bag.” Snelling allegedly admitted to giving birth and attempting to conceal evidence of the delivery.
Alleged Concealment of Birth
During questioning, Snelling reportedly confessed to cleaning up evidence related to the birth and placing both cleaning materials and the infant inside the trash bag. Police say she made efforts to hide the incident before officers arrived. Investigators have not yet released details regarding the circumstances of the infant’s death.
Involvement with Kentucky Cheerleading
Just months before her arrest, Snelling competed with the University of Kentucky STUNT team at the 2025 National Championship on April 25. Video footage from FloCheer shows her actively participating, hoisting teammates into stunts and supporting them from the sidelines. The event was hosted at Lipscomb University in Nashville.
STUNT National Championship Context
The University of Kentucky fell to California Baptist University during the finals, marking Cal Baptist’s fifth consecutive national STUNT title. Unlike traditional cheerleading, STUNT focuses exclusively on athletic and technical elements such as stunts, pyramids, tumbling, and jumps, with teams competing head-to-head by performing identical routines simultaneously.
University Response
A University of Kentucky spokesperson confirmed on September 5 that Snelling is no longer enrolled at the institution and is not part of the cheer program. She had been a member of the STUNT team for three seasons prior to her arrest. The university has not issued additional public comments regarding the case.
Ongoing Investigation
Authorities have stated that the investigation into the birth and infant’s death is ongoing. A spokesperson for the Lexington Police Department told Us Weekly on September 8 that further findings will be shared once available. For now, Snelling remains under strict legal supervision as the case develops.
Next Steps in Legal Proceedings
Snelling’s preliminary court hearing is set for September 26. The hearing will determine whether the case proceeds to trial. If convicted, she could face significant legal consequences. Until then, prosecutors, defense attorneys, and investigators will continue to piece together the timeline of events leading up to her arrest.
