BEAUTY-QUEEN-CHEERLEADER’S BABY DEAD IN CLOSET, GRAND JURY SET: LAKEN SNELLING

2026-01-11

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New details are emerging in the case of a 21-year-old college student and cheerleader from the University of Kentucky accused of hiding her newborn inside her college apartment closet. Laken Snelling's case is on its way to a grand jury. The panel is expected to hear evidence in late January. The grand jury will likely be asked to indict Snelling on the three charges she initially pleaded not guilty to, and there’s possibly a count of murder or manslaughter depending on the newborn's autopsy results.

New details are emerging in the case of a 21-year-old college student and cheerleader from the University of Kentucky accused of hiding her newborn inside her college apartment closet.

Laken Snelling's case is on its way to a grand jury. The panel is expected to hear evidence in late January. The grand jury will likely be asked to indict Snelling on the three charges she initially pleaded not guilty to, and there’s possibly a count of murder or manslaughter depending on the newborn's autopsy results.

Laken Snelling is arrested after her infant is found dead in a trash bag inside the closet. An autopsy report only deepens the mystery surrounding the infant's death because the results are found to be inconclusive. Snelling posted baby bump pics before her infant was found dead.

Authorities allege Snelling gave birth in secret, wrapped her baby in a towel, placed him in a trash bag, and left him in her closet.

According to an arrest report, Lexington police were called to a home on Park Avenue for an unresponsive infant on Wednesday. Police said they found a baby's body in a closet, wrapped in a towel inside a black trash bag.

The UK cheerleader is now charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.

Court records show Snelling took selfies during the birth.

Joining Nancy Grace today:

Josh Kolsrud - Criminal Defense Attorney and Former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Founder of Kolsrud Law Offices; Facebook and YouTube @KohlsrudLawOffices
Dr. Bethany Marshall - Psychoanalyst, Author: "Deal Breaker,” featured in hit show: "Paris in Love" on Peacock; Instagram & TikTok: drbethanymarshall, Twitter: @DrBethanyLive
Dr. Kendall Crowns - Chief Medical Examiner Tarrant County (Ft Worth), Host of Podcast, "Mayhem in the Morgue," and Lecturer: Burnett School of Medicine at TCU (Texas Christian University)
Chris Byers - Private Investigator and Owner of Byers Investigative Services, Former Police Chief in Johns Creek, Georgia (25 years as police officer)
Germania Rodriguez - Chief US Reporter, DailyMail.com

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