Ex-Boyfriend of University of Kentucky Cheerleader Undergoes DNA Testing in Infant Death Case

The former boyfriend of Laken Snelling, a University of Kentucky cheerleader, is providing a DNA sample to determine if he is the father of a newborn found deceased in her closet last month.

21-year-old Izaiah Hall submitted his DNA to authorities to establish whether he is the biological father of the baby. Hall’s father, Justin Smith, stated that police escorted Hall to the station for the testing, but declined further details.

Snelling was arrested after the remains of a baby were discovered in her off-campus Lexington residence. She allegedly wrapped the infant in a towel, placed it in a trash bag, and hid it in her closet. She has pleaded not guilty to charges of concealing a birth, tampering with evidence, and abuse of a corpse.

Despite the ongoing investigation, the autopsy results were inconclusive regarding the cause of the baby’s death. Snelling reportedly admitted to police that she attempted to cover up the birth by cleaning and discarding the evidence together with the newborn.

Details of her relationship with Hall remain unclear, and Hall refused to comment on the paternity test or their breakup. Evidence suggests she was dating Hall before she began seeing Conner Jordan, a college basketball player, though Hall did not confirm their relationship’s timeline.

Snelling, who was a college senior and a member of the STUNT cheerleading team, was arrested after authorities responded to a report of an unresponsive infant at her home. She claimed she cleaned the evidence after birth and threw it in a trash bag.

Following her arrest, Snelling was released on a $100,000 bond and placed under house arrest at her parents’ home in Tennessee. Her next court date is scheduled for September 26.

She has since dropped out of school and is no longer affiliated with her cheerleading team, with the university not specifying when she officially withdrew.