Mystery still surrounds the exact cause of the death of college cheerleader Laken Snelling’s newborn, who was found dumped in a trash bag in her off-campus room — as former classmates also accused her of being an “appearance-obsessed serial bully.”
Snelling, a 21-year-old member of the University of Kentucky’s stunt team, wore a glamorous red dress and makeup as she was supported by her dad in court this week to plead not guilty to a slew of charges over her baby’s shocking death late last month.
An autopsy showed that her newborn was a boy, but did not determine exactly how he died before he was dumped in a closet, according to WKYT.
Laken Snelling appears at her court arraignment in a red dress. WKYT
The University of Kentucky cheerleader appeared in court in Lexington on Tuesday. WKYT“I understand the community’s concern and sensitivity surrounding the death of a child,” Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn said in the coroner’s report seen by the outlet. “We are conducting a thorough and methodical death investigation to ensure all facts are carefully considered.”
Snelling pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday to concealing the birth of an infant, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse.
The cause of death of Laken Snelling’s newborn baby is still unclear after a preliminary autopsy. Facebook / Laken Snelling
Snelling was arrested over the death of an infant in Kentucky. Fayette County Detention CenterShe appeared solemn and spoke only briefly to agree with the judge’s order. She was seen holding the hand of her father, Terry Snelling, a construction company supervisor based in Jefferson City, Mo.
It comes as the family of one of Snelling’s former classmates branded the student an “appearance-obsessed serial bully” who even tried to run down a fellow student with her Jeep.
Here’s the latest on the college cheerleader whose newborn was found dead
- Ex-University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling whose newborn was found dead in trash bag indicted for manslaughter, autopsy shows baby was born alive
- University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling heard baby ‘whimper’ before hiding newborn in closet: docs
- Cheerleader arrested after her baby is found dead ‘inside of a black trash bag’ in closet
- College cheerleader, whose newborn was found dead in trash bag, drops out of school
- Cheerleader’s ex-boyfriend provides DNA sample to cops after her newborn is found dead in trash bag
Snelling pleaded not guilty to concealing the birth of an infant, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse. Facebook / Laken Snelling“She was obsessed with her appearance, very obsessed with being popular and fitting in,” Sydney Kite told the Daily Mail, accusing Snelling of mercilessly bullying her sister and some of her friends.
“Laken had many, many people that she took her personal anger out on. My sister was one of them,” said. Kite, who went to the same high school.
“While in high school, she tried to run over one of my closest friends with her Jeep. The bullying got so bad, my friend had to be pulled out of school and transferred to another because Laken had taken it so far.”
Snelling’s family did not respond immediately to requests for comment.
Snelling is a student at the University of Kentucky. Facebook / Jefferson County Fairest of the Fair
Former classmates have branded Snelling a “bully” who once tried to run someone down in her Jeep. Facebook / Laken SnellingSnelling, who was arrested on Sunday, was ordered to remain in home incarceration and live with her parents after posting $100,000 in bail, court records show.
Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Sept. 26.
