UK confirms Laken Snelling no longer a student or STUNT team member after baby’s death

LEXINGTON, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – The University of Kentucky confirms that Laken Snelling, the student accused of concealing the death of her infant, has withdrawn from the university and is no longer a member of the UK STUNT team. University spokesperson Jay Blanton confirmed the withdrawal Friday.

Snelling, 21, was arrested on August 31 and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. She is accused of hiding her deceased baby in a closet on Park Avenue, wrapped in a towel and placed inside a trash bag, according to Lexington Police.

Court records show Snelling admitted to giving birth and then attempting to clean up evidence before placing the infant and cleaning materials into the bag. She entered a not guilty plea earlier this week and is currently under a $100,000 surety bond. As a condition of release, she must live with her parents on house arrest while the investigation continues.

The Fayette County Coroner’s Office identified the baby as a male. Coroner Gary Ginn said preliminary findings in the case are inconclusive, with extensive microscopic analyses still underway. The cause and manner of death remain undetermined.

Snelling’s case continues under investigation by the Lexington Police Department’s Special Victims Section.