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A coroner revealed Wednesday that the cause of death remains inconclusive for a newborn allegedly hidden in a closet by a University of Kentucky student-athlete.
The Fayette County Coroner’s Office in Lexington, Kentucky, said in a statement that the autopsy on the male infant was completed, but the findings were inconclusive as extensive microscopic analyses are essential to determine the cause and manner of death.
Officers with the Lexington Police Department took the infant’s mother, Laken Snelling, 21, into custody Sunday after the baby was found dead wrapped in a towel inside a trash bag, WLEX reported. The trash bag was reportedly placed inside a closet.
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Snelling, a senior at the University of Kentucky, is 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 describes as a “head-to-head competition between two teams that focuses on the technical and athletic aspects of cheer.”
Police said she admitted to giving birth, according to arrest records.
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Snelling was released from jail on a $100,000 bond and placed on house arrest, according to court documents.
She pleaded not guilty in court on Tuesday, according to a report from KBTX.
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Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn said he understands the community’s concern, noting the 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,” Ginn wrote in the statement. “Please keep the family and friends as well as the University of Kentucky friends in your thoughts and prayers.”
Ginn added the death investigation remains open pending test results.
The Lexington Police Department said its special victims section is continuing to investigate.
Fox News Digital’s Adam Sabes and Greg Norman contributed to this report.
