The University of Kentucky has revealed cheerleader Laken Snelling’s status, both at the school and on the STUNT cheerleading team, after her arrest stemming from the death of her newborn baby.
Snelling, 21, “is no longer a student at the university and, as a result, is no longer a member of the STUNT team,” a spokesperson for the school told Us Weekly in an email on Friday, September 5.
Though Snelling is currently with her parents on home incarceration without an ankle monitor, according to Lexington, Kentucky police, her standing at the state’s flagship university remained unclear. At the time of publication, she was still listed on the 2025 STUNT cheer roster.
STUNT, however, is a spring sport, meaning all competitions occur between January and April, so it’s possible the roster would not be updated until closer to the 2026 season. The Wildcats went 29-3 last year, finishing as national runners-up for the third consecutive season.
STUNT is a discipline within cheerleading that emphasizes “the technical and athletic components of cheer, including partner stunts, pyramids, basket tosses, group jumps and tumbling,” according to USA Cheer.
In addition to being a three-year member of the team, Snelling was also an Interdisciplinary Disability Studies major at the University of Kentucky, according to her Facebook page
Snelling was arrested on August 30 and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant after authorities found her infant baby dead in her closet. She pleaded not guilty and was released on $100,000 bond. Her preliminary hearing is set for September 26.
Police found the baby “wrapped in a towel inside of a black trash bag,” according to an arrest citation obtained by LEX 18 News.
When interviewed by police, Snelling reportedly admitted to giving birth to the baby and “concealing the birth by cleaning any evidence, placing all cleaning items used inside of a black trash bag, including the infant, who was wrapped in a towel.” The investigation is ongoing.
“We can confirm that she has been a member of the STUNT team for the last three seasons,” the university said in a statement after her arrest. “All other questions should be directed to the Lexington Police.”
An autopsy conducted on the infant was unable to determine a cause of death. “Extensive microscopic analyses are essential to determine the cause and manner of death,” read a report from the Fayette County Corner’s Office obtained by Us Weekly on Thursday, September 4.
“I understand the community’s concern and sensitivity surrounding the death of a child,” Coroner Gary Ginn said in the report. “We are conducting a thorough and methodical death investigation to ensure all facts are carefully considered.”
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