University of Kentucky Student-Athlete Case: Newborn Found Dead in Closet
A recent case involving a newborn found dead in a closet by a University of Kentucky student-athlete has left the cause of death inconclusive, according to the Fayette County Coroner's Office in Lexington, Kentucky. The autopsy results were inconclusive, and further microscopic analyses are needed to determine the cause and manner of death. The infant's mother, Laken Snelling, was taken into custody after the baby was discovered wrapped in a towel inside a trash bag placed in a closet.
Laken Snelling, a senior at the University of Kentucky, faces charges of tampering with physical evidence, concealing the birth of an infant, and abuse of a corpse. She is a member of the school's STUNT team, a competitive cheerleading program. Snelling admitted to giving birth, as per arrest records, and was released on a $100,000 bond with house arrest conditions. She pleaded not guilty in court and is awaiting further legal proceedings.
Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn expressed understanding for the community's concerns regarding the case, emphasizing the impact on many lives in neighboring Tennessee and the Commonwealth. The death investigation is ongoing, with the hope that all facts will be carefully considered. The Lexington Police Department's special victims section is actively investigating the case, and the community is urged to keep the family, friends, and University of Kentucky community in their thoughts and prayers. The investigation remains open pending additional test results.