21-Year-Old College Student Faces Accusations Of Attempting To Hide Deceased Infant Inside Trash Bag After Giving Birth

A University of Kentucky student-athlete faces accusations of attempting to hide her deceased infant’s body inside a trash bag in the closet.

Laken Snelling, 21, was arrested and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.

According to reports, Snelling is identified as the infant’s mother.

“Snelling is a member of the Kentucky Stunt team, according to the school,” Collin Rugg wrote.

“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,” the university said in a statement, according to Rugg.

NEW: University of Kentucky student arrested after her baby was found deceased in a trash bag inside a closet.

21-year-old Laken Snelling has been charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.

Snelling is a member of the… pic.twitter.com/CWzlwctc0B

— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) September 1, 2025

More from the Lexington Herald Leader:

Laken Snelling, 21, was arrested Aug. 27 after officers were called to the 400 block of Park Avenue, near downtown Lexington, for an unresponsive infant.

Officers found the child in a trash bag inside a closet at the home. The child was pronounced dead at the scene.

Snelling admitted to officers she had cleaned up after giving birth and put cleaning supplies and the infant in the trash bag.

A Kentucky university student, 21, has been arrested in connection to an infant’s death.

The suspect, who was confirmed to be a student by a university spokesperson, is also a member of the school’s stunt team. pic.twitter.com/Fql6VjKYGy

— Local 12/WKRC-TV (@Local12) September 1, 2025

WKYT noted:

Snelling is a student at the University of Kentucky and a member of the Kentucky Stunt team, according to the team’s website. The team’s roster says Snelling is from White Pine, Tennessee.

UK spokesperson Jay Blanton told WKYT that Snelling is a senior and is currently enrolled in classes at the university.

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Police say the Fayette County Coroner’s Office is still determining the infant’s cause of death.

Snelling will be arraigned on Tuesday at 1 p.m.

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