A court has ordered the release of the medical records of a former University of Kentucky cheerleader, as the investigation into the death of her newborn baby continues. Laken Snelling, 21, faces serious charges including abuse of a corpse and concealing the birth of an infant.
Subpoena for Medical History
On 10 December, a subpoena was filed compelling the University of Kentucky Medical Center to hand over Snelling's complete medical records from August 2024 to the present. The medical centre has until 20 January to comply. Prosecutors believe this information could be crucial for investigators trying to piece together the tragic events that unfolded in late August.
Snelling was arrested on 30 August, ten days after police discovered the body of a baby boy wrapped in a towel and a black trash bag in the closet of her student accommodation in Lexington, Kentucky. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.
The Night of the Birth and Aftermath
According to court affidavits, prosecutors allege Snelling gave birth in the early hours of 27 August. Roommates reported hearing loud noises from her room around 4am. Snelling later told police she was awake for roughly half an hour after the birth before passing out on top of the infant.
Upon waking, she allegedly stated the baby was 'turning blue and purple,' leading her to believe he had died. She claimed she then wrapped the child 'like a burrito' for comfort before falling asleep again. When her alarm sounded at 7:30am, she allegedly placed the baby in a towel and the placenta in a bag, which she then put in her closet.
Snelling told her roommates the noises were from her passing out and falling. She mentioned going to a doctor because she felt unwell, but a document claims she visited a student clinic without going inside. In her absence, suspicious roommates entered her room and discovered a blood-soaked towel and a plastic bag containing evidence of childbirth. One roommate contacted police after finding the infant, reporting it was cold to the touch.
Ongoing Investigation and Legal Status
An initial autopsy on the baby boy proved inconclusive. The Fayette County Coroner's office requested additional tests in October, but the results have not been made public. Authorities believe the infant was alive at the time of delivery.
As part of their probe, investigators executed a search warrant on Snelling's phone and sought access to her social media accounts and a shared iCloud. The affidavit states searches revealed online activity pertaining to pregnancy, images during labour, and concealed pregnancies.
Snelling, who was a senior and a member of the university's STUNT cheerleading team at the time of her arrest, has since withdrawn from her position. She remains under house arrest with electronic monitoring at her father's home in Jefferson County, having been released on bail. It is still unclear whether she informed anyone about her pregnancy.
