College Cheerleader Arrested After Placing New Born In Garbage Bag

A University of Kentucky cheerleader faces criminal charges after she gave birth to a baby, stuffed it in a garbage bag, and hid it in a closet.

Laken Snelling, 21, was arrested on Aug. 31 and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant, police said. The Fayette County Coroner is investigating the cause of the infant's death.

Police were called to a residence on Aug. 27 at around 10:30 a.m. after the infant was found unresponsive in a closet, LEX 18 reported. The station reported that Snelling "admitted to concealing the birth by cleaning any evidence, placing all cleaning items used inside of a black trash bag, including the infant, who was wrapped in a towel."

In a statement to LEX 18, the University of Kentucky confirmed that Snelling was a student and a cheerleader at the school: "We can confirm that she has been a member of the STUNT team for the last three seasons. All other questions should be directed to the Lexington Police."