Public Health Director Cassie Prather in Woodford County, Kentucky, has called for improved resources for expecting mothers amid the scandal surrounding University of Kentucky competitive cheerleader Laken Snelling.
Snelling, 21, was arrested on August 30 after she allegedly gave birth and hid the baby in a closet. She has been charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.
After the scandal made national headlines, Prather spoke to WKYT about her concerns with the current system in an interview on Monday, September 8. “We need to do a better job as a community in supporting those folks that don’t have access to direct resources and maybe feel shame or they’re not ready for a family,” she said.
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Abortion is generally prohibited in Kentucky unless the procedure will potentially save a pregnant woman’s life, according to the Center for Reproductive Rights. The law went into effect in 2022 after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the United States Supreme Court.
While reflecting on Snelling’s story, Prather said she “kind of had a little bit of every emotion, much like a lot of other people that have known about this.”
Prather then urged pregnant women in similar situations to Snelling to utilize the resources at local health departments. Many health departments offer advice such as how to raise a child and where to turn for adoption resources.
“You could meet with one of our nurses that are trained in family planning, women’s health, and they’re gonna know based on what gestational age, what your resources are,” she explained. “Unfortunately, now, I think we may have to go out of state for some of those, and I’m not saying that’s anything we promote or don’t promote.”
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Prather added that health departments are a safe place for people in vulnerable situations. “We just lay out the facts, here are the options and let them ask us any questions and answer any questions they have in a safe, supportive environment,” she said. “There’s no judgment here.”
Authorities reported to Snelling’s home on August 27 after they received a call about an unresponsive infant. The “infant was located wrapped in a towel inside of a black trash bag,” according to an arrest citation.
While speaking to authorities, Snelling “admitted to giving birth” and to “concealing the birth by cleaning any evidence, placing all cleaning items used inside of a black trash bag, including the infant, who was wrapped in a towel.”
Snelling pleaded not guilty during a court hearing on September 2 and posted a $100,000 bond. She is now on “home incarceration with no ankle monitor,” according to local outlet Lex 18. Snelling has been ordered to live with her parents in Jefferson City, Tennessee, as she awaits her trial, and she is next scheduled to appear in court on September 26.
