A coroner announced on Wednesday that the cause of death for a newborn allegedly hidden in a closet by a University of Kentucky student-athlete is still unknown.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office in Lexington, Kentucky, stated that the autopsy on the male infant was completed, but the results were inconclusive because extensive microscopic analyses are required to determine the cause and manner of death.
Officers from the Lexington Police Department arrested the infant’s mother, Laken Snelling, 21, on Sunday after the baby was discovered dead wrapped in a towel inside a trash bag, according to WLEX. The trash bag was allegedly placed inside a closet.
Snelling, a senior at the University of Kentucky, has been charged with tampering with physical evidence, concealing the birth of an infant, and abuse of a corpse, according to police.
A university spokesperson confirmed to Fox News Digital that Snelling is a member of the school’s STUNT team, which the athletics department defines as a “head-to-head competition between two teams that focuses on the technical and athletic aspects of cheer.”
According to arrest records, she admitted to giving birth.
Snelling was released from jail on a $100,000 bond and placed under house arrest, according to court records.
KBTX reported that she pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday.
Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn expressed his understanding of the community’s concern, stating that the death “affects many lives in our neighboring state of Tennessee as well as those in the Commonwealth.”
“We are currently conducting a thorough and methodical death investigation to ensure all facts are carefully considered,” Ginn explained in a statement. “Please keep the family and friends as well as the University of Kentucky friends in your thoughts and prayers.”
Ginn added that the death investigation is still open pending test results.
According to the Lexington Police Department’s special victims section, the investigation is still ongoing.
