Laken Snelling, a former competitive cheerleader for the University of Kentucky, is currently under house arrest and awaiting a grand jury trial. She faces charges related to the alleged concealment of her newborn baby’s body. Snelling has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Recently, her house arrest conditions were updated. Snelling was ordered to wear an ankle monitor and must remain at her father’s residence in Tennessee until her trial. This directive, reported on October 30, superseded her initial release on a $100,000 bond, which allowed her to split time between her parents’ homes without electronic monitoring.
The 21-year-old was arrested on August 30 after a third party discovered a baby’s body in her room. The individual reported the baby was “cold to the touch.” Snelling admitted to authorities that she had given birth and “concealed” the newborn.
She claimed to have fainted after giving birth, falling onto the baby. Upon waking, she found the infant “blue and purple,” according to court records. Snelling told investigators she heard a “whimper,” suggesting the baby was alive at birth.
Snelling then cleaned up and placed the baby, wrapped in a towel, along with cleaning supplies into a black trash bag. She later told roommates she was unwell and going to the doctor. Instead, she ordered McDonald’s and drove to a university clinic but did not enter.
While Snelling was out, her roommates, who suspected she was pregnant, reportedly found a blood-soaked towel and other evidence of birth. They contacted the police. Snelling was interrogated upon her return home, taken to a hospital for evaluation, and then formally arrested.
The University of Kentucky confirmed on September 5 that Snelling was no longer a student and, consequently, no longer a member of the STUNT cheerleading team. She had been a three-year member of the competitive team, majoring in interdisciplinary disability studies.
The cause of the baby’s death remains inconclusive. A report from the Fayette County Coroner’s Office, obtained on September 4, stated that “thorough microscopic analyses are essential to determine the cause and manner of death.”
Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn emphasized the community’s concern and the case’s impact across the state. He assured that a thorough and methodical investigation is ongoing.
The identity of the baby’s father is unknown. In the months leading up to her arrest, Snelling was dating former university basketball player Connor Jordan. She shared photos of them together on TikTok in June and April.
It is unclear if Jordan is the father or if their relationship continued until her arrest. Another ex-boyfriend, Izaiah Hall, provided his DNA to authorities at the request of Lexington police. Hall’s father, Justin Smith, stated he does not know if Izaiah is the father.
Snelling has made two court appearances since her arrest. She first appeared on September 2, three days after her arrest, where she entered her not-guilty plea. On September 26, she waived her right to a preliminary hearing, moving the case to a grand jury.
A date for the grand jury trial has not yet been set. The investigation into the baby’s death continues.