Ex-boyfriend provides DNA sample after newborn found dead in University of Kentucky cheerleader’s closet
Cumberland University quarterback Izaiah Hall gave DNA to Lexington police as investigators continue forensic testing; the suspect has pleaded not guilty
Lexington police said an ex-boyfriend of University of Kentucky cheerleader Laken Snelling provided a DNA sample to investigators after a newborn infant was found dead inside a closet at Snelling’s off-campus residence.
Snelling, 21, was arrested Aug. 31 and charged with tampering with physical evidence, concealing the birth of an infant and abuse of a corpse, according to police and court records. Authorities said officers responded to reports of an unresponsive infant who was pronounced dead at the scene. The Fayette County coroner’s office said an initial autopsy was inconclusive and that extensive microscopic analysis will be required to determine the infant’s cause of death.
Lexington police asked 21-year-old Izaiah Hall to provide a DNA sample, and he complied, his father, Justin Smith, told The Post. "Lexington police had him come down to the station to give a sample," Smith said, declining further comment. It was not immediately known whether the sample matches the infant, and investigators did not publicly identify a confirmed father.
Hall, listed as a quarterback at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee, has been identified in media reports as a former boyfriend of Snelling. Those reports said Snelling later was reported to have been dating a former college basketball player, details that police have not publicly corroborated.
Police documents cited by local outlets said the infant was found wrapped in a towel and placed inside a black trash bag in a closet at the residence. Snelling has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Officials have not released additional details about how long the child may have been in the residence or about any timeline of events leading up to the discovery.
A former classmate told Fox News that Snelling had a reputation as a "serial bully," an accusation Snelling has not publicly addressed. University and athletic department representatives have declined to provide additional comment beyond confirming Snelling’s affiliation with the university’s cheerleading program.
Investigators said further forensic testing, including microscopic examinations referenced by the coroner, will be necessary to determine the cause and timing of the infant’s death. Police have not announced any additional suspects or charges, and the investigation remains active.
Snelling’s arrest and the ongoing probe have drawn local attention as authorities work to establish a timeline and confirm paternity. Any DNA results would be part of that forensic effort; prosecutors and the Fayette County coroner did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Court records show Snelling is scheduled for an initial appearance in Fayette County court, where her legal status will be addressed further.