Cheerleader released from jail after infant found dead in closet

(NewsNation) — A University of Kentucky cheerleader who was arrested after an infant was found dead in a closet was released from jail on a $100,000 bond Tuesday.

Laken Snelling, 21, was placed on house arrest at her parents' home without an ankle monitor, according to local NewsNation affiliate WDKY.

Snelling was arrested Aug. 31 and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant after police responded to a call about an unresponsive infant on Aug. 27, according to a Lexington Police Department press release.

The release said the infant was pronounced dead at the scene and police identified Snelling as the mother.

When police interviewed Snelling, she admitted to giving birth to the infant and concealing it "by cleaning any evidence, placing all cleaning items used inside of a black trash bag, including the infant, who was wrapped in a towel," WLEX reported, citing an arrest report.

Snelling is from White Pine, Tennessee, and a cheerleader for the University of Kentucky's STUNT team, according to the University of Kentucky Athletics website.

"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 of Kentucky said in a statement.

Snelling entered a not guilty plea and is scheduled to appear in court Sept. 26.

The infant's cause of death is still being determined by the Fayette County Coroner’s Office, police said.