Coroner releases update after college cheerleader's newborn was found dead dumped in trash bag
The coroner has released an update after a college cheerleader's newborn was found dumped in a trash can in her student room.
Laken Snelling pleaded not guilty to in court on Tuesday (September 2) to concealing the birth of an infant, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse.
She was arrested last month after officers from Lexington Police Department were called to an address in 400 block of Park Avenue to reports of an unresponsive infant.
The baby was pronounced deceased at the scene at around 10.30am on August 30, while a cause of death is yet to be determined.
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An arrest citation alleged that the 'infant was located wrapped in a towel inside of a black trash bag.'
It added that Snelling '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.'
It is not clear whether Snelling suffered a miscarriage, stillbirth or gave birth.
WKYT reports an autopsy showed the newborn to be a boy, but officials are yet to determine how he died prior to being dumped in the trash bag.
Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn said: "I understand the community’s concern and sensitivity surrounding the death of a child. We are conducting a thorough and methodical death investigation to ensure all facts are carefully considered."
Snelling, who had been a member of the University of Kentucky's competitive cheerleading STUNT team, made a post on TikTok, which included her aspirations for the year prior to her arrest, the Daily Mail reported.
In the video were a number of emojis showing an engagement ring, a house, money, and a picture of a woman bottle-feeding a baby, which would certainly suggest a baby may be on the cards.
If the 21-year-old is found guilty of corpse abuse and tampering with physical evidence she could be fined up to $10,000 and jailed for between one and five years, as the crime is considered a Class D felony under Kentucky law.
After news of Snelling's arrest broke over the weekend, the University of Kentucky said in a statement to local news station WLEX: "We can confirm that she has been a member of the STUNT team for the last three seasons. All other questions should be directed to the Lexington Police.”
Snelling preliminary hearing is set to take place on September 26.
If you have experienced a bereavement and would like to speak with someone in confidence, contact The Compassionate Friends on (877) 969-0010.
Callum Jones