College Cheerleader Arrested After Baby Found Dead in Trash Bag

Arrest of Laken Snelling

• 📌 21-year-old Laken Snelling, a college cheerleader and beauty queen from the University of Kentucky, has been arrested.
• 🚨 Police were called to her home on August 27th for a report of an unresponsive infant, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
• ⚖️ Snelling was arrested on August 31st and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.

Discovery of the Infant

• 🔍 The deceased infant was found inside a closet, wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag.
• 🧼 According to an arrest citation, Snelling allegedly admitted to giving birth, concealing the birth by cleaning evidence, and disposing of the infant along with cleaning supplies in the trash bag.
• ❓ The cause of death for the infant and the infant's age at the time of birth are currently unknown, pending autopsy results.

Legal Proceedings and Charges

• 💰 Snelling was released on a $100,000 bond and is living with her parents, without an ankle monitor.
• ⚖️ The current charges—abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence—are classified as Class D felonies in Kentucky, typically carrying sentences of 1 to 5 years.
• ⚠️ Prosecutors are awaiting autopsy results to determine if more serious charges, such as murder, will be filed.

Legal Analysis and Potential Outcomes

• 👨‍⚖️ A prosecutor explains that the autopsy is crucial to determine if the child was born alive and breathing, which will impact potential charges.
• 📜 Kentucky's "Born Alive Act" requires sustenance for a baby born alive, and failure to provide care or actions leading to death could result in serious charges.
• 🗣️ The "concealing the birth of an infant" charge typically applies when the infant dies or needs medical care and is not properly attended to.
• 🤝 Defense attorneys might argue the defendant was not in the right state of mind or appeal to a jury's sympathy due to the circumstances of an unwanted pregnancy.

Societal and Legal Options

• 👶 The discussion highlights options for women who do not wish to be mothers, such as safe haven laws where a baby can be left at designated safe places like hospitals or fire stations without penalty.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The potential involvement of the child's father and Snelling's parents in the investigation is noted, as they will likely be interviewed.
• ⏳ Prosecutors are aware of media attention and may expedite the autopsy and investigation to determine if additional charges are warranted.