A 21-year-old University of Kentucky student and cheerleader has been arrested after the body of a newborn was discovered inside a trash bag in a closet at a residence near the Lexington campus, according to local authorities.

Discovery and Arrest

Police responded to a call on Sunday, August 31, regarding an unresponsive infant at a residence off-campus. According to a statement from the Lexington Police Department, officers arrived to find the infant wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag hidden in a closet.

The baby was pronounced dead at the scene. Following an initial investigation, Laken Snelling was identified as the mother of the child and taken into custody.

Police Statement and Charges

According to police reports cited by WLWT and Lex18, Snelling admitted to giving birth and has been charged with:

• Abuse of a corpse
• Tampering with physical evidence
• Concealment of the birth of an infant

Snelling is currently being held at the Fayette County Detention Center.

University Response

Snelling is a senior at the University of Kentucky and has been a member of the school’s STUNT competitive cheerleading team for the past three seasons, according to the university’s athletics website.

In a statement, a university spokesperson confirmed her involvement with the team and said: “We can confirm that she has been a member of the STUNT team for the last three seasons. All other questions should be directed to the Lexington Police.”

Ongoing Investigation

The incident remains under investigation, and authorities have not yet released further details regarding the cause of the infant’s death or the circumstances surrounding the birth.