Laken Snelling is a University of Kentucky student and cheerleader who was recently accused of hiding a dead baby in her closet, find out more about her and the incident below
The shocking case reportedly unfolded at the University of Kentucky, and police discovered the dead infant hidden in her closet.
Who is Laken Snelling as University of Kentucky cheerleader and student’s baby is found dead in closet
NEW: University of Kentucky student arrested after her baby was found deceased in a trash bag inside a closet.
21-year-old Laken Snelling has been charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
Snelling is a member of the… pic.twitter.com/CWzlwctc0B
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 1, 2025
🚨 Another dead baby in a trash bag!!! 😢
LEXINGTON, Ky.- A senior at the University of Kentucky is facing charges after police say she hid her infant’s body in a trash bag inside a closet.
Laken Snelling, 21, was arrested Sunday and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering… pic.twitter.com/jFqwTWciwO
— Amy Leigh (@IAmyLeigh) September 1, 2025
According to investigators, Laken tried to cover up the birth and conceal evidence but now faces serious charges.
Laken Snelling accused of hiding dead baby in closet
Lexington police recently arrested a student athlete from the University of Kentucky named Laken Snelling after they found an infant in her closet last Wednesday after receiving a report. Officers discovered the baby hidden in a towel and stuffed into a trash bag and hidden inside a closet. Following the discovery, Snelling admitted to giving birth and attempting to hide what had happened.
The discovery has unsurprisingly horrified investigators, who described the whole scene as deeply unsettling. Neighbors have also expressed their shock upon learning what allegedly occurred so close to home. According to police, Snelling did not seek medical help or report the birth but instead chose to conceal it. Police have also confirmed that the Fayette County Coroner’s Office is currently investigating the cause of death of the infant.
Snelling is currently being held at the Fayette County Detention Center.
Charges and allegations
Following the arrest, authorities have charged Laken Snelling with concealing the birth of an infant, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse. Authorities arrested her on Sunday and booked her into the Fayette County Detention Center. If convicted, Snelling could face several years in prison, as the charges against her carry serious penalties in Kentucky. Moreover, prosecutors may also add or adjust charges depending on the coroner’s findings.
After posting a $100,000 bond, she’s now on home incarceration with no ankle monitor and is to live with her parents.
Laken Snelling biography and age
Laken Snelling is a 21-year-old student-athlete at the University of Kentucky in Lexington. She recently went viral after authorities discovered a dead baby in her closet, prompting all kinds of reactions and consequences. Friends and classmates describe Laken as a quiet girl who was focused on school and deeply committed to athletics. She was also a part of the cheer stunt team and enjoyed a visible presence on campus.
The University of Kentucky student and competitive cheerleader was arrested after the body of her newborn was found stuffed inside a garbage bag tossed in a closet as cops were called about an unresponsive baby at a residence near campus grounds in Lexington.
While she is dating a man named Connor, it is not yet sure if he is the father of the child she killed but she was the birth mother of the infant.
Her boyfriend Connor Jordan’s personal details aren’t known but his TikTok account appears to have been deleted after a photoshoot of him and Laken went viral which she had posted back in June 2025.
Connor is former star college basketball player and previously played basketball for King University and Tusculum University in Tennessee. He has since gone onto delete his social media accounts after his girlfriend got arrested.
Snelling is originally from White Pine, Tennessee, where she attended the Jefferson County High School. She was also Jefferson County’s “Fairest of the Fair” and had listed being a mother as one of her life goals.
Education
Laken Snelling is a student at the University of Kentucky, which is one of the state’s largest public universities. She is a member of the institute’s cheer stunt team.
Snelling is listed as a member of the University of Kentucky’s STUNT cheerleading team and is currently a senior at the university and has served on the competitive team for the past three seasons.
