A new development has emerged in the tragic case of Laken Snelling, the former University of Kentucky competitive cheerleader. Her ex-boyfriend, Izaiah Hall, has provided his DNA to authorities. This step could help investigators determine the paternity of the baby found in her home.
Hall’s father, Justin Smith, confirmed the news to the New York Post on Saturday, September 6. He explained that Lexington police asked his son to come to the station for the sample. Smith mentioned he isn’t sure if Izaiah is the baby’s father. He added that he prefers not to share more details at this time.
Izaiah Hall is 21 years old and plays quarterback at the University of Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky. He is currently studying Business Administration. Hall attended Anderson County High School in Clinton, Tennessee. This is about 80 kilometers from Jefferson County High School in Dandridge, Tennessee, where Snelling, also 21, went to school. It’s not clear how long Hall and Snelling dated or when their relationship ended.
Meanwhile, Snelling faces serious charges related to the baby’s death. She is accused of abusing a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and hiding the birth of a baby. Authorities arrested her at her home in Lexington, Kentucky, on August 30.
Police had first gone to the home on August 27 after receiving a call about an unresponsive baby. According to her arrest citation, the baby was found wrapped in a towel. It was inside a black trash bag. During her interview, Snelling admitted to giving birth. She also said she cleaned up any evidence and placed the cleaning items, along with the baby, into the trash bag.
Snelling appeared in a Lexington court on Tuesday, September 2. She pleaded not guilty to all charges. She was later released after posting a $100,000 bond. She is now living under house arrest with her parents in Tennessee, though she does not have an electronic monitoring device.
According to reports from a prominent news channel, a university spokesperson confirmed on September 5 that Laken is no longer a student. This news, first shared by Us Weekly, also stated she is off the STUNT competitive cheerleading team. She had been a member for three seasons.
Social media posts from June showed Snelling posing with another man. It remains unclear if this man is connected to the baby’s death. It’s also unknown if the couple was still together when the baby died. Snelling’s preliminary court hearing is scheduled for September 26, as the investigation continues.