University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling was arrested on Saturday, August 30, after an infant was found dead in a closet within her home.
Days before she was taken into custody, police officers were sent to Snelling’s home after receiving a call about an unresponsive infant. A local Kentucky outlet obtained an arrest citation stating that the child was “located wrapped in a towel inside of a black trash bag.”
The 21-year-old student confirmed that she had given birth and “admitted to concealing the birth by cleaning any evidence, placing all cleaning items used inside of a black trash bag, including the infant, who was wrapped in a towel” while interviewed by officers on the scene.
Snelling was ultimately charged with “Abuse of a Corpse, Tampering with Physical Evidence, and Concealing the Birth of an Infant,” according to a Lexington Police Department report obtained by a local Kentucky news outlet. She posted a $100,000 bond on Tuesday, September 2, and is on “home incarceration with no ankle monitor” at her parents’ house in Tennessee.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about Snelling:
She Was on the STUNT Team
Snelling was a student athlete as part of the University of Kentucky’s STUNT team. She is still listed on the team’s roster.
“We can confirm that she has been a member of the STUNT team for the last three seasons,” per a statement from the school. “All other questions should be directed to the Lexington Police.”
She Had a Boyfriend
Snelling’s TikTok appeared to reveal that she was in a relationship. While the man’sname was not revealed at the time, the cheerleader posted a series of photos in June 2025 captioned “#couplesphotography” and “#couplesphotoshoot” alongside a series of heart emojis.
The comments section and other videos on her page suggest that his name is Connor Jordan, although further details have yet to be revealed. His TikTok account appears to have been deleted.
She Suffered an Injury
A separate TikTok video shows Snelling returning to her cheerleading career following a surgery on her leg.
“A long time coming,” she captioned the clip from January 2025, revealing that she was recovering from an ACL injury.
She Was a Pageant Queen
Snelling shared a series of images on social media showing how she prepared for a pageant. She competed in the Jefferson County Fairest of the Fair in 2023.
She’s an Accused Criminal
Further details about Snelling’s involvement in the baby’s death have not yet been revealed. However, the Fayette County Coroner’s Office is determining the infant’s cause of death. The Lexington Police Department has asked anyone with information to contact them, as they are “continuing to investigate” the crime.
