A Kentucky college cheerleader is facing serious charges after police allege she secretly gave birth in her dorm room, attempted to hide the newborn, and later left the scene to get food at McDonald’s, as reported by The New York Post.

According to unsealed court documents obtained by People magazine, 21-year-old Laken Snelling, formerly a cheerleader on the Kentucky STUNT team, took photos and selfies of herself while in labor.

Investigators said her phone contained “images of her during labor, photos of her doing things ordinary pregnant women should not be doing.” Authorities believe she later deleted several of the photos in an effort to cover up the birth.

Laken Snelling’s baby was born ALIVE — she took photos of herself during labor and claims she passed out on the baby

Newly obtained records reveal shocking details in the case of University of Kentucky student Laken Snelling, who is accused of concealing the birth of her baby… pic.twitter.com/8hgNH6ZXRs

— Amy Leigh (@IAmyLeigh) September 26, 2025

The affidavit states that Snelling delivered a baby boy alone in her room, after which she allegedly placed the newborn in a trash bag and went to McDonald’s. It remains unclear when or how the baby died.

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Snelling’s roommates, who reported hearing troubling sounds from her room the night before, entered while she was gone. They discovered a blood-soaked towel on the floor, evidence of childbirth, and later found the baby cold to the touch in the closet. They immediately contacted 911.

Police said Snelling initially told investigators the baby “fell on the floor” after birth and that she did not believe he was breathing or alive.

She allegedly explained that she wrapped the infant “like a burrito and laid next to it on the floor because it gave her a little comfort in the moment.” She then placed the baby in a trash bag the following morning before cleaning her room and showering.

AWFUL new details in the Laken Snelling case.

The Kentucky cheerleader gave birth at 4:00 am and then fell asleep on her newborn son.

After he died, she threw his body in a bag and went to McDonalds. She never got help.

The baby was full-term.

Snelling belongs in prison. pic.twitter.com/e6K2Cg38cl

— LifeNews.com (@LifeNewsHQ) October 2, 2025

The affidavit also noted that Snelling admitted to medical personnel that the newborn had shown “a little bit of fetal movement” and made a “whimper” after birth.

Investigators say Snelling placed the placenta in a plastic bag before leaving for McDonald’s instead of attending her morning classes or visiting the campus health clinic.

Authorities allege that after the incident, Snelling tried to delete photos and other evidence from her phone to conceal the birth. Police believe additional images may have been successfully removed prior to her arrest.

Snelling has been charged with concealing the birth of an infant, tampering with physical evidence, and abuse of a corpse. She has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Following her arrest and initial court appearance, Snelling withdrew from Kentucky and is no longer listed as a member of the school’s cheerleading STUNT team. She has been placed under house arrest pending trial.

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