The mystery surrounding the death of a newborn found in his cheerleader mother’s closet has deepened as his autopsy was inconclusive, according to officials.
University of Kentucky student Laken Snelling, 21, was arrested after police found her newborn baby boy inside a trash bag in her closet in her Lexington home.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office said in the baby’s autopsy report that it will conduct ‘extensive microcosmic analyses’ to determine the cause and manner of death.
‘I understand the community’s concern and sensitivity surrounding the death of a child. This death affects many lives in our neighboring state of Tennessee and as well as those in the Commonwealth.
‘We are currently conducting a thorough and methodical death investigation to ensure all facts are carefully considered.’
Snelling was released on a $100,000 bond and ordered to home incarceration at her parents’ home in Jefferson City, Tennessee, as reported by NBC News.
She pleaded not guilty to charges abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.
The student, who was accompanied by her family, mostly kept her head down during the court appearance on Tuesday and nodded as the judge outlined her release conditions.
Her father was seen holding her hand as she walked out of the courtroom.
Police made the gruesome discovery on Wednesday after they were called to Snelling’s home for a report of ‘a deceased infant being located inside of a closet’ on Wednesday morning, officials said.
The baby was pronounced dead at the scene but a cause of death remains unclear pending an autopsy.
It’s not clear who called police to report the alleged crime.
An arrest citation said the ‘infant was located wrapped in a towel inside of a black trash bag.’
‘By wrapping the infant in towels and placing it inside of a black trash bag, the listed suspect treated the corpse in a way that would outrage ordinary family sensibilities,’ the police report said.’
Snelling admitted to concealing the birth by cleaning any evidence before hiding the supplies and the infant, who was wrapped in a towel, in a trash bag, according to the citation.
She is next scheduled in court on September 26.
The student, who allegedly admitted to giving birth to the baby before her arrest, posted images in June where her boyfriend held her stomach, which appeared to have a visible bump.
Other images posted on social media in recent months also showed Snelling with what appeared to be a stomach bump.
However it’s not clear if Snelling had announced a pregnancy to anyone.