A former University of Kentucky student-athlete stands accused of hearing her newborn “whimper” before allegedly hiding his body in a closet, raising disturbing questions about the collapse of moral values and personal responsibility in our universities.
Story Highlights
- Laken Snelling allegedly heard baby whimper but concealed death instead of seeking help
- Former UK athlete faces multiple charges including tampering with evidence and abuse of corpse
- Autopsy results remain inconclusive, complicating prosecution efforts
- Case exposes failures in university support systems and moral guidance for students
Former Athlete Faces Serious Criminal Charges
Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old former University of Kentucky STUNT team member, was arrested September 1st following the discovery of her deceased newborn wrapped in a towel inside a trash bag in her closet. Police responded to her residence on August 30-31 after receiving a call about an unresponsive infant. The baby was pronounced dead at the scene, launching an investigation that would reveal disturbing details about the infant’s final moments and Snelling’s alleged attempts at concealment.
According to court documents, Snelling admitted to investigators that she heard the baby “whimper” after birth, indicating the child was alive. Rather than seeking immediate medical assistance that could have saved the infant’s life, she allegedly attempted to hide the evidence. Snelling faces three serious charges: tampering with physical evidence, concealing the birth of an infant, and abuse of a corpse. She pleaded not guilty on September 2nd and was released on $100,000 bond under house arrest in Tennessee.
Inconclusive Autopsy Complicates Justice Efforts
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office released preliminary autopsy results on September 4th that proved inconclusive regarding the cause and manner of death. This development significantly impacts the prosecution’s ability to pursue more serious charges such as homicide. Further microscopic analysis is pending, leaving crucial questions unanswered about what exactly happened to this innocent child. The inconclusive findings highlight the challenges law enforcement faces when investigating cases involving infant deaths and concealed births.
Legal analysts note that without a clear cause of death, prosecutors must rely heavily on the existing charges related to concealment and evidence tampering. The case underscores the importance of immediate medical intervention in newborn emergencies, something that tragically did not occur here. Snelling’s next court appearance is scheduled for September 26, 2025, where additional developments may emerge as forensic analysis continues.
University System Failures and Moral Breakdown
This tragic case exposes glaring deficiencies in how our universities handle student crises and provide moral guidance. Snelling reportedly concealed her pregnancy from roommates and deleted evidence from her phone, suggesting a calculated effort to hide her situation rather than seek help. The University of Kentucky confirmed her membership on the STUNT team but has remained largely silent about what support systems were available to students facing personal crises.
The incident raises serious concerns about the moral fabric of our educational institutions and their failure to instill basic values of life preservation and personal responsibility. When a student-athlete can allegedly hear her newborn’s cries for help and choose concealment over life-saving action, we must question what values our universities are actually teaching. This case demands accountability not just from the individual involved, but from institutions that should be providing better guidance and support to prevent such tragedies.
Watch the report: Former Kentucky student charged in baby’s death waives .
Sources:
Fox 32 Chicago – Autopsy Infant Dead University Kentucky Athlete
6ABC – University Kentucky Cheerleader Laken Snelling Charged Connection Infants Death