Univ. of Kentucky Cheerleader Arrested After Allegedly Hiding Dead Newborn in Her Closet

A student and cheerleader at the University of Kentucky was arrested on Saturday, Aug. 30, when her infant’s corpse was discovered in her closet, according to police.

Laken Snelling, 21, was arrested Sunday, Aug. 31, on charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant, the Lexington Police Department (LPD) said in a news release.

LPD was called to a home in the 400 block of Park Avenue for a report of an unresponsive infant in Lexington, Ky., per local NBC affiliate Lex 18.

Police say Snelling is the mother of the deceased infant, and “admitted to giving birth.” The baby was pronounced dead at the scene at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time. The Fayette County Coroner’s Office will determine the infant’s official cause of death.

The arrest citation details that “infant was located wrapped in a towel inside of a black trash bag,” Fox 19 Now reports. The cheerleader and college student competed on the university’s competitive cheerleading stunt team for three years, and is originally from White Pine, Tenn., where she attended Jefferson County High School, according to an official team roster.

“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,” the university said in a statement obtained by The Independent.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.          

PEOPLE has reached out to the LPD and the University of Kentucky for comment.