LEXINGTON, KY — A University of Kentucky student is facing serious charges following the discovery of an infant’s body hidden in a closet. Laken Snelling, a 21-year-old senior and member of the Kentucky stunt team, was arrested on Sunday and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.
The incident came to light after the Lexington Police Department received a call regarding an unresponsive infant on Wednesday. Officers responding to the scene later pronounced the infant dead. An arrest citation revealed that the baby’s body was discovered in a trash bag inside a closet at Snelling’s residence.
Charges Filed Against Laken Snelling
During an interview with police, Snelling reportedly confessed to giving birth and attempting to hide the evidence of the birth, reports The Guardian. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office is currently working to establish the cause of the infant’s death.
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Jay Blanton, a spokesperson for the University of Kentucky, confirmed that Snelling is enrolled as a senior at the university, reports WCSC. The university has yet to comment further on the situation, citing ongoing investigations.
The charges against Snelling are grave. Under Kentucky state law, abuse of a corpse and tampering with physical evidence are classified as class D felonies, carrying potential penalties of one to five years in prison and fines up to $10,000.
Kentucky’s Abortion Law and Its Role in the Case
This case unfolds against the backdrop of a stringent abortion law in Kentucky, which has been in effect since 2022. The law prohibits abortions except in cases where the procedure is necessary to prevent the ‘substantial risk of death’ or to avert ‘serious, permanent impairment of a life-sustaining organ’ for the pregnant individual. Notably, the law does not provide exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
