Former University of Kentucky Cheerleader Denies Killing Newborn Son Found in Trash Bag

A former University of Kentucky cheerleader, identified as Laken Snelling, has formally entered a plea of not guilty to accusations of causing the death of her newborn son and concealing his body.

Snelling, aged 21, appeared in court on Friday to deny charges of first-degree manslaughter. Authorities allege that she left the infant to perish in a closet shortly after giving birth on August 27. Initially, she faced charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant, to which she also pleaded not guilty.

Last month, the manslaughter charges were added after the Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office informed a grand jury that the baby was born alive. The cause of death was determined to be asphyxia due to undetermined means, according to police statements.

Snelling was taken into custody at the Fayette County Detention Center. However, she was reportedly released hours later after her father posted a bond of $10,000. If convicted of the first-degree manslaughter charge, Snelling could face up to 20 years in prison. An additional 11 years could be added for the other charges.

The discovery of the deceased infant was reportedly made by Snelling's college roommates. They found the baby boy inside a black plastic bag concealed in her closet at their shared off-campus residence in Lexington.

Inside Snelling's room, the roommates also reported finding a blood-stained towel on the floor and a plastic bag containing evidence of childbirth. The infant was described as being "cold to the touch" when discovered, according to their account to a 911 operator.

The roommates had apparently suspected Snelling was concealing a pregnancy. They informed police that they heard loud and unusual noises coming from Snelling's room around the estimated time of birth, which occurred approximately at 4 a.m.