Kentucky Cheerleader Accused in Baby's Death: Ex-Boyfriend Submits DNA, Past Behavior Revealed

Case Updates on Laken Snelling

• 🎓 Laken Snelling, the former beauty queen and college cheerleader accused in her baby's death, has withdrawn from the University of Kentucky and is no longer on the competitive cheerleading team.
• 🏠 She is currently out on bond and on house arrest, having pleaded not guilty to charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.

Investigation into the Baby's Father

• 🧬 An ex-boyfriend of Snelling has reportedly submitted a DNA sample to police as investigators work to identify the child's father.
• ❓ It remains unclear if Snelling was still in a relationship with the man pictured with her on social media, and his identity is not being released as he has not been charged.

Details of the Infant's Discovery

• 🚨 Police were called to a home on August 27th in Lexington, Kentucky, following a report of an unresponsive infant.
• 🗑️ The baby, a boy, was pronounced dead at the scene and reportedly found wrapped in a towel inside a black trash bag within a closet.
• 🧼 Snelling allegedly admitted to giving birth and then concealing the birth by cleaning up evidence and disposing of the newborn's body with the cleaning supplies.

Autopsy and Potential Charges

• 🔬 The initial autopsy on the baby was inconclusive, with further tests pending to determine the cause of death and whether the infant was stillborn or took a breath.
• ⚖️ If the baby was born alive, Kentucky law indicates that charges could escalate to manslaughter or murder.

Snelling's Past Behavior and Public Image

• ✨ Publicly, Snelling presented a happy image on social media, but a former high school acquaintance described her as having a different, more aggressive personality, citing instances of bullying and a near-accident involving a Jeep.
• 📱 Snelling's social media activity, including a TikTok post with a "mom with a child" emoji under "goals," suggests aspirations of motherhood, contrasting sharply with the current accusations.

Legal Proceedings and Detective's Insights

• 🔒 Snelling is currently on house arrest with a $100,000 bond, and her attorney is present during any questioning.
• 🔍 Retired NYPD detective David Sarnney emphasized the difficulty of infant death investigations, the importance of digital forensics, and the need for nuanced questioning of medical examiners to uncover the truth.
• ⚖️ The judge's decision on bond was based on Snelling's lack of prior criminal record and community ties, but this could change if the autopsy reveals evidence of foul play.