Disturbing social media past of Kentucky cheerleader uncovered following discovery of deceased newborn in closet

Laken Snelling has entered a not guilty plea to charges of corpse abuse

Warning: This article discusses child death, which may be distressing to some readers

Lexington Police records in Kentucky have disclosed new information regarding a university student accused of concealing her newborn baby in a closet, where the infant was found deceased.

Former University of Kentucky student Laken Snelling, 21, was arrested by Lexington Police Department officers on August 31 after they received a report of an unresponsive infant on August 27.

A department press release stated that officers 'located an infant that was pronounced deceased at the scene' upon their arrival at the Park Avenue residence.

A month later, an affidavit reported on by Lex 18 provided further details about the infant's death, noting that the baby 'appeared to be full term when discovered'.

Snelling was taken into custody on August 31

Snelling, who has since left the University of Kentucky, is believed to have given birth to the baby at 4 a.m. on August 27.

She allegedly informed police that she fell asleep on top of the baby and woke up to find 'the baby turning blue and purple'. She mentioned she then wrapped the baby in a towel before allegedly placing him and the placenta in a black trash bag in her closet.

Snelling's roommates entered her room after hearing noises during the night, which led them to text each other, according to the affidavit. They reportedly discovered a 'blood-soaked towel on the floor and a plastic bag containing evidence of childbirth'.

As part of the investigation, the police report includes a search warrant for Snelling's social media accounts, which allegedly uncovered searches 'related to pregnancy'.

The accounts also reportedly showed 'images of her during labor, photos of her engaging in activities pregnant women typically should not, and a concealed or hidden pregnancy'.

Snelling has entered a plea of not guilty to the charges she faces

According to Lex 18, police suspect that additional details regarding the pregnancy and 'the birth of the full-term baby' might have been removed from the accounts.

After placing the baby in the closet, Snelling reportedly informed police that she left her apartment, ordered food through the McDonald's app, picked it up, and went to the student clinic, but did not enter.

During this time, her roommates discovered evidence of childbirth in her room.

Snelling faces charges of abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant. She has entered a plea of not guilty to these charges.

If these issues have affected you or if you wish to speak confidentially about child welfare, the Childhelp USA National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) is available 24/7 and accepts calls from the United States, Canada, US Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.