In a case that has stunned the University of Kentucky community and drawn national attention, new details have emerged about Laken Ashlee Snelling, a 21-year-old former cheerleader now facing a series of grave charges after her newborn son was found dead in her off-campus apartment closet. The tragic events, which unfolded in the early morning hours of August 27, 2025, have sparked renewed debate about crisis pregnancy resources and the importance of safe haven laws in Kentucky and beyond.
According to court documents and police affidavits reviewed by Daily Mail and Texas Right to Life, Snelling went into labor alone around 4 a.m. in her Lexington apartment. Investigators say she took selfies during labor—some of which she later attempted to delete—and conducted online searches related to concealed pregnancies and childbirth. While authorities pieced together the timeline, they discovered that Snelling gave birth to a baby boy who, by her own account, made a whimper and showed signs of life before the situation took a devastating turn.
Snelling told police she was conscious for about 30 minutes after giving birth. In her statement, she recounted, "I fell asleep on top of the baby and went back to sleep." When she awoke, she found her son turning blue and purple, according to the affidavit. She then wrapped the infant in a towel, describing the act as something that "gave her a little comfort in the moment," and lay next to him on the ground before falling asleep again until her alarm for class sounded at 7:30 a.m.
Rather than seek immediate medical attention, Snelling cleaned up the bloody scene in her bedroom, placed the baby and her placenta—reportedly inside a ziplock bag—into a trash bag, and hid them in her closet. She then left the apartment, skipped class, and instead ordered curbside McDonald's, sitting in her vehicle in the parking lot. She also drove to the University of Kentucky's Student Clinic but did not go inside, later telling investigators that she "wasn't feeling well." After this, she returned home, where the situation would soon unravel further.
It was Snelling's roommates who first became alarmed. Hearing unusual commotion and noticing her odd behavior in the early morning, they entered her room and discovered a blood-soaked towel and a bag containing the baby, who was described as "cold to the touch." The roommates immediately called 911, prompting a rapid police response. When officers arrived, they found the newborn's body in the closet, wrapped in a towel and trash bag.
Snelling was arrested on August 31, 2025, and charged with concealing the birth of an infant, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges and waived her right to a preliminary hearing during a brief court appearance, as reported by WKYT. She currently remains out on bond, under house arrest, and is required to live with her parents in Tennessee while awaiting a grand jury decision on whether she will be formally indicted.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for Snelling's phone and social media accounts, uncovering a digital trail that painted a picture of a concealed pregnancy. According to police statements cited by Daily Mail, "A search warrant of Ms Snelling's phone resulted in locating several searches including different things pertaining to pregnancy, images of her during labor, photos of her doing things ordinary pregnant women would not be doing, and [evidence of] a concealed or hidden pregnancy." Authorities also noted that "the photos that were taken while she was in labor were deleted in an attempt to hide the birth."
The case has left many in the community and across the country asking how such a tragedy could occur, especially given the resources available to women in crisis pregnancies. Kentucky, like many states, has enacted safe haven laws that allow parents to surrender newborns anonymously at hospitals, fire stations, or specially designed Safe Haven Baby Boxes—no questions asked, no legal penalties. Just miles from Snelling's campus, one such baby box was available, designed specifically for desperate mothers with nowhere else to turn.
Pregnancy resource centers across Kentucky also offer a range of support, from diapers and medical referrals to counseling and housing assistance. As emphasized by Texas Right to Life, "These ministries exist to provide hope when a young mother feels she has none." Advocates argue that tragedies like the Snelling case highlight the need to raise awareness about such options, ensuring that every woman knows there is a safe, judgment-free path forward for both herself and her child.
Snelling's social media history further complicates the narrative. In months leading up to the incident, she posted images with her then-boyfriend, former college basketball player Connor Jordan, in which she appeared visibly pregnant. Footage from April showed her performing with the university's STUNT team, seemingly with a baby bump. These posts have ignited speculation about whether anyone in her immediate circle was aware of her pregnancy, and if so, why she felt unable to seek help.
Questions remain about the precise cause of the newborn's death. Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn told reporters that a preliminary autopsy was inconclusive, leaving it unclear whether the baby died during birth or as a result of subsequent events. The investigation continues, with prosecutors and the community awaiting further forensic results and the grand jury's decision.
Beyond the legal proceedings, the case has sparked a broader conversation about mental health, stigma, and the pressures faced by young women in high-profile or high-stress environments. Snelling, previously described by some former classmates as "appearance-obsessed" and accused of bullying, had dropped out of the University of Kentucky following the incident. The contrast between her public persona—a cheerleader and beauty queen sharing maternity photos—and the private turmoil culminating in tragedy has led to soul-searching among students, parents, and advocates alike.
For many, the heartbreaking events serve as a clarion call to improve outreach and education around safe haven laws and pregnancy resources. As Texas Right to Life put it, "This case is heartbreaking; it did not have to end this way. A precious baby could have been saved, and a young mother spared a lifetime of grief and legal consequences." The organization and others are urging communities to redouble efforts to ensure that no woman in crisis feels alone or without options.
As the legal case moves forward and the facts continue to emerge, the story of Laken Snelling and her newborn son remains a stark reminder of the complex—and sometimes hidden—struggles faced by women in crisis pregnancies. The hope among advocates, law enforcement, and educators is that greater awareness and support can prevent such tragedies in the future, ensuring that every child and mother has a safe path forward.
