Docs: Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling hid newborn in closet after hearing baby’s ‘whimper’
Laken Snelling, a cheerleader at the University of Kentucky, is under investigation for allegedly concealing her newborn baby in a closet. Court documents reveal that Snelling, 21, informed medical staff that she heard the infant "whimper" before placing it in a trash bag.
This revelation contradicts her earlier statement to law enforcement, where she claimed to have given birth to a stillborn child. The admission reportedly came shortly after her arrest and questioning by police regarding the concealment of evidence related to the incident.
According to records obtained from the University of Kentucky's Labor and Delivery unit, Snelling described experiencing "a little bit of fetal movement" and believed the baby was alive at birth. The infant was found to be full-term when discovered.
During labor, Snelling allegedly took several photographs but deleted them in an effort to obscure the birth, as stated by investigators. Her arrest occurred just hours after she gave birth at her off-campus residence. A roommate, alerted by unusual noises during the night, entered Snelling's room after she left for class and found the newborn.
Snelling reported that she delivered the baby around 4 a.m. on August 27, claiming it fell to the floor and that she did not think it was "breathing or alive." She later stated that she passed out, falling on top of the baby.
Upon regaining consciousness, Snelling observed the infant turning blue and purple. Believing the child was deceased, she wrapped him in a towel for comfort before placing him in a trash bag and hiding it in her closet. Following this, she reportedly showered and cleaned up blood in her room.
When questioned by her roommates about the noises they had heard, Snelling allegedly feigned illness and mentioned a visit to a doctor. Unbeknownst to her roommates, who suspected she might be hiding a pregnancy, Snelling left for class but instead sat in her car ordering food before returning home to find police waiting for her.
Facing charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant, Snelling has pleaded not guilty. She has since withdrawn from the university and is no longer part of the STUNT team.
