Laken Snelling Passed Out on Top of Baby, Claims She Woke Up to Find It Dead

New chilling details about the arrest of former University of Kentucky competitive cheerleader Laken Snelling have emerged. 

Snelling, 21, told medical staff she guessed her baby was still alive when she gave birth and allegedly hid the infant’s body in a closet last month, according to court records obtained by WKYT-TV on Friday, September 26. 

After giving birth, the cheerleader said she passed out and fell on top of the baby. 

When she woke up, Snelling found the infant “blue and purple,” according to the records. 

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At that time, Snelling believed the baby was dead. She wrapped up the infant and laid next to the body on the floor, which is described as giving her comfort. 

Snelling’s baby was later found “wrapped in a towel inside of a black trash bag,” according to an arrest citation.

After allegedly concealing the baby in the closet, the records state that Snelling made her way to the University of Kentucky’s campus but did not go to class. 

Snelling also found a University of Kentucky student clinic but did not go inside. 

The cheerleader was eventually detained and taken to Lexington police headquarters before being transported to a local hospital for evaluation. 

Snelling told hospital staff that the baby displayed some fetal movement, including a “whimper,” after it was born. 

A third party was responsible for calling authorities on August 27, reporting that an infant was found “cold to the touch” in the closet of a Lexington home. 

Snelling was arrested on August 30 and charged with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant.

When she was questioned by police, 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 to all charges during a September 2 court appearance. She was released on $100,000 bond and has been living on house arrest with her parents in Tennessee.

The former athlete was back in a Lexington courtroom on Friday, where she waived her right to a preliminary trial. The case will now proceed to a grand jury. 

The infant’s cause of death was ruled inconclusive and “extensive microscopic analyses are essential to determine the cause and manner of death,” according to a report from the Fayette County Coroner’s Office obtained by Us Weekly on September 4.

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“I understand the community’s concern and sensitivity surrounding the death of a child,” Fayette County Coroner Gary Ginn said in the report. “We are conducting a thorough and methodical death investigation to ensure all facts are carefully considered.”

In a statement to Us on September 8, the Lexington Police Department said the investigation into the infant’s death remains “ongoing.”

Snelling is a former student at the University of Kentucky and had been a performer on the school’s STUNT cheerleading team for the past three seasons at the time of her arrest.

A university spokesperson confirmed to Us on September 6 that Snelling is no longer enrolled at the school or on the STUNT team.

The post Laken Snelling Passed Out on Top of Baby, Claims She Woke Up to Find It Dead appeared first on The Maravi Post.

Don’t Miss These 3 Underrated Thrillers on Netflix, HBO Max and More Before September Ends

There aren’t many days left in September, but there’s still enough time to catch a handful of thrillers before the end of the month.

The Watch With Us team has chosen a trio of underrated thrillers on Netflix, HBO Max and Prime Video that should close out your movie nights for the month.

Two of our picks are celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2025, and they couldn’t be more different from each other.

Our final pick is a film that really should have done better in theaters. But now it can find the audience it deserves.

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‘Copycat’ (1995)

Copycat revolves around Dr. Helen Hudson (Sigourney Weaver), a woman who thought she understood the minds of serial killers. One near-fatal encounter with an actual serial killer, Daryll Lee Cullum (Harry Connick Jr.), was more than enough to convince Helen to never leave her apartment again.

Cullum may be in prison, but a new serial killer is stalking the streets who is emulating some of the most famous murderers in American history. Inspector Mary Jane “M.J.” Monahan (Holly Hunter) approaches Helen about working on the case and ending her isolation. However, the copycat killer welcomes her involvement in the chase and proves that he can get to her at any time. Even consulting with Cullum himself may not be enough to end this reign of terror.

Copycat is streaming on Netflix until September 30.

‘Crimson Tide’ (1995)

Crimson Tide boasts an incredible cast, including Denzel Washington, Gene Hackman, Viggo Mortensen, James Gandolfini and Rocky Carroll. The late Tony Scott directed the film, and Quentin Tarantino devotees will surely recognize the dialogue he contributed to Michael Schiffer‘s script.

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Washington plays Lieutenant Commander Ronald “Ron” Hunter, the new executive officer for Captain Franklin “Frank” Ramsey (Hackman) on the USS Alabama. During a crisis, this nuclear submarine is called upon to launch an attack. Hunter and Ramsey’s disagreement over whether to follow through on that order splits the crew and leads to a mutiny. And if the crew can’t stop fighting themselves, they may perish at the hands of an enemy vessel.

Crimson Tide is streaming on Prime Video until September 30.

‘Criminal’ (2016)

Criminal may remind some movie lovers of Face/Off, although it doesn’t go so far as to let Kevin Costner and Ryan Reynolds play each other’s characters. Reynolds plays CIA agent Bill Pope, the only man standing between America’s adversaries gaining a program created by Jan Strook (Michael Pitt) that can override control of any nuclear weapon in the world.

When Pope is killed in action, his superior, Quaker Wells (Gary Oldman), turns to Dr. Franks (Tommy Lee Jones) for an experimental procedure to implant Pope’s memories into a dangerous criminal, Jerico Stewart (Costner). Jerico was a sociopath before the procedure, but Pope’s feelings for his wife, Jill (Gal Gadot), and their daughter trigger a newfound humanity. The fate of the world may come down to what Jerico decides to do next.

Criminal is streaming on HBO Max until September 30.

The post Don’t Miss These 3 Underrated Thrillers on Netflix, HBO Max and More Before September Ends appeared first on The Maravi Post.

Taylor Swift Reportedly Attends Travis Kelce’s NFL Game After Selena Gomez’s Wedding

Taylor Swift flew in under the radar to watch her fiancé Travis Kelce play his NFL game in Kansas City on Sunday — mere hours after attending Selena Gomez’s wedding in California, TMZ has confirmed. The pop star slipped in undetected to Arrowhead…

The post Taylor Swift Reportedly Attends Travis Kelce’s NFL Game After Selena Gomez’s Wedding appeared first on The Maravi Post.

Unbeaten Tigers eye share of UAAP lead

Host University of Santo Tomas shoots for a third straight win to gain a share of lead with Ateneo when it clashes against fellow unbeaten National University in the UAAP Season 88 men’s basketball tournament Wednesday at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion in Manila.

Game time is at 4:30 p.m. after the La Salle-Far Eastern University duel at 2 p.m., with the Growling Tigers (2-0) banking on their home crowd anew to break a second-spot tie with the Bulldogs (2-0) and join the Ateneo Blue Eagles (3-0) on top of the league nearing the halfway mark of the first round.

The three remain as the only undefeated squads in the squad, with UST being the biggest revelation so far after slaying reigning champion University of the Philippines and La Salle, finalists of the last two UAAP seasons.

Led by super rookie Collins Akowe, momentum and confidence are on the España-based dribblers on the back of a mammoth 87-67 trashing of the Fighting Maroons and a stellar 93-84 comeback over the Green Archers for a statement start.

But while that shored up UST’s tag as this year’s dark horse especially with UP and La Salle still adjusting to the departure of their core led by Finals MVP JD Cagulangan and two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao, the mission is just beginning.

Winning against the Bulldogs, who have also taken care of their first two games, is just a continuation for the Tigers.

‘This is not a statement. We’re just happy that we’re progressing as a team. Right now, we’re just focusing on ourselves and our games, which is now against NU,’ said ace playmaker Forthsky Padrigao, who returned from a one-game suspension with 12 points, nine assists and three steals against La Salle.

‘UST this year is not the same as UST last year. Medyo may confidence na kami ngayon but we have to keep grounded. We just have to stick to what we’re doing,’ said assistant coach Peter Martin.

Starring in the duel is Akowe, who will be in first match against what was anticipated as his collegiate school after graduating from the National University-Nazareth School as UAAP juniors MVP and Best Foreign Student-Athlete, before surprisingly committing to UST.

Count on the readiness of the Bulldogs to finally try to stop the 6-foot-10 Senegalese anchor, who feasted on UP and La Salle with averages of 24.8 points and 18 rebounds.

‘We will be ready no matter what happens talaga. At hindi lang naman si (Collins) ‘yung paghahandaan namin. Buong UST ang paghahandaan namin. We’ll see,’ said Bulldogs mentor Jeff Napa after their wins against FEU, 84-68, and University of the East, 72-57.

’The Eos of Smart Living’: Sanitec launches JOMOO in the Philippines

Sanitec officially unveiled JOMOO in the Philippines through a landmark event themed, ‘JOMOO: The Eos of Smart Living,’ marking the opening of its first showroom in Metro Manila and strategic partnership with Sanitec, the Bath and Kitchen Specialist.

The launch introduces one of the world’s leading sanitaryware brands to the local market, strengthening Sanitec’s portfolio of world-class bathroom solutions for Filipino homes and developments.

JOMOO is recognized as the #1 sanitaryware brand in China, with a brand value exceeding $25.22 billion and the World’s No.1 in Smart Toilet Sales.

With more than 350 global design awards-including “Best of Bath” in the iF Design Awards, ranked No. 1 globally in total awards for five consecutive years-JOMOO has contributed to projects such as the Great Wall of China, Ritz Carlton Residences in Jordan, Indonesian High-Speed Railway, The Mahamasina Municipal Stadium in Madagascar.

Behind its success is an advanced manufacturing network: 15 high-end Smart Factories, 16 R and D centers and 10,000 high-end showrooms across 120 countries.

Its most groundbreaking achievement is the industry’s first “eco-friendly Dark Factory”-a fully automated, robotic facility that conserves energy, reduces waste and redefines sustainable manufacturing operating with precision and efficiency at a level impossible for traditional manufacturing.

Through Sanitec, JOMOO brings a full range of intelligent, sustainable and user-friendly bathroom solutions-from smart toilets to cabinets, showers and faucets-designed to elevate everyday living while remaining accessible.

‘Tonight, we are unveiling what tomorrow’s bathrooms can be and will be,’ said Jensen Go, vice president of Sanitec Import Ventures Inc.

‘This partnership with JOMOO is a testament to our mission of providing Filipinos with carefully selected brands and products that empower us to build bigger, better and wiser.’

Adding star power to the occasion, celebrity guest Alden Richards graced the event, highlighting the significance of the launch in ushering in a new era of smart living for Filipino homes. As he shared, ‘It’s like owning a piece of the future.”

With its proven expertise, award-winning innovation and global presence, JOMOO is poised to become the top choice of developers, architects, designers and homeowners seeking modern and intelligent bathroom solutions.

This launch marks the beginning of a new era in bathroom design-where technology, sustainability, and style converge with a clear invitation: to ‘Start Your Smart Life’

Supreme Court: Barring employees from work sans reason is illegal dismissal

The Supreme Court has ruled that barring employees from the workplace without a valid reason amounts to illegal dismissal.

In a May 19, 2025 decision penned by Senior Associate Justice Marvic Leonen, the high court’s Second Division upheld labor arbiters’ findings that 12 workers of Constant Packaging Corp. were illegally dismissed.

The employees, hired as sorters and packers on a pakyaw (per output) basis, had complained about sub-minimum wages, 12-hour shifts seven days a week, and non-remittance of SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG contributions.

After filing a case before the Department of Labor and Employment, they were denied entry to the factory by a company security guard.

The company argued the workers were not dismissed and could return under their original pakyaw arrangement, insisting denial of entry did not equate to termination.

The National Labor Relations Commission had partially granted the workers’ plea but denied their motion for reconsideration. The Court of Appeals later affirmed the NLRC ruling.

The employees then elevated the case to the Supreme Court.

The ruling

The tribunal reversed the lower rulings, stressing that when an employee ready and willing to work is blocked without lawful cause, ‘it is a clear act of illegal dismissal.’

‘Thus, while voluntary resignation of the employee should be proven by the employer, the burden to prove the circumstances that led to the constructive dismissal is on the employee,’ the court said.

‘These circumstances that constitute discriminatory acts, insensibility, or disdain towards the employee should be clearly shown in evidence, such that the working environment created by the employer leaves the employee no other choice but to resign,’ it added.

In this case, the court ruled that the guard’s refusal to let workers in was itself an act of dismissal.

Since the termination was abrupt and without due process, the dismissal was unlawful.

Relief granted. The high court ordered Constant Packaging to pay the employees separation pay, back wages, service incentive leave and holiday pay.

However, it held that since they were on a pakyaw basis, they were not entitled to 13th-month pay.

Benilde defends ‘School of the Year’ title in Quill Awards

For the third consecutive time, the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) bagged the highly coveted School of the Year title at the 11th Philippine Student Quill Awards.

University of Santo Tomas (UST) finished first runner-up, while CIIT College of Arts and Technology was the second runner-up.

The Philippine Student Quill Awards is the junior counterpart of the prestigious Philippine Quill Awards, which lauds organizations that embody the high global standards in the field of business communication.

Themed ‘Advancing Intelligence with Business Communication,’ the event was spearheaded by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines. It recognized exceptional research, programs, creativity and skills among industry practitioners and students.

The 66 accolades – 25 excellence and 41 merit awards – copped by Benilde came from various categories such as writing, audio/visual, social media, publications, advertising, brand communication, marketing and special and experiential events.

‘On behalf of the entire Benildean community, I extend my heartfelt congratulations and gratitude to all our students, faculty, and administrators who have worked tirelessly to make this possible. Your passion, collaboration and perseverance have once again brought honor to our College,’ Benilde president Br. Edmundo Fernandez FSC shared.

Winning entries included works primarily from two groups from the Student Publications Unit: the Benildean Press Corps (BPC), the college’s official student-journalists’ organization and Ad Astra, Benilde’s official yearbook organization and some from the Culture and Arts Unit.

BPC received the Student Top Award for Communication Skills for ‘Setting the bar high: Cloanne Mondoñedo got it when she least expected it’ by Pio Perez. Also nominated for the same award were other entries from the student publication, namely, ‘Shades of Gray: Crossroads’ by Jorel Magistrado and ‘Self-care or self-sabotage? Diving into the perpetual loop of sudden purchases’ by Renee Aguila.

The Benilde Book, which chronicled the 35th anniversary of the school, also took home the Professional Merit Award in Publication in the 21st Philippine Quill Awards.

DLS-CSB has since garnered a total of 479 awards from the IABC since 2015.

ICTSI Elite Junior Finale kicks off with Four-Ball showdown

Fireworks are expected as the Four-Ball format in the ICTSI Elite Junior Finals kicks off tomorrow at The Country Club in Laguna.

With two high-stakes matches scheduled in each of the three age categories (7-10, 11-14 and 15-18), the stage is set in this Ryder Cup-style showdown.

The Junior Philippine Golf Tour season finale gathers the elite 48 players – culled from two seven-leg elimination series – who will represent North and South squads.

And now, they face perhaps their sternest test yet: A fearsome, championship-level course in TCC. Action begins with the boys’ 7-10 division, followed by the 11-14 and the marquee 15-18 age groups. Simultaneously, girls’ divisions tee off on the 10th, ensuring non-stop action across both nines.

On Day 2, the pressure mounts with the Foursomes (Alternate Shot) format with the grand finale – Friday’s singles duels – featuring 24 matches staged in a winner-takes-all format. With one point at stake per match, the race to reach 24.5 points becomes a pressure cooker of nerves, skill and willpower.

In the event of a 24-24 tie, the stakes rise even higher: one age group will be drawn at random, and each captain must nominate a player to engage in a sudden-death playoff.

Bannering Team North are boys’ 15-18 standouts Patrick Tambalque and Zachary Villaroman; boys’ 11-14 contenders Zianbeau Edoc and Ryuji Suzuki; and 7-10 aces Zoji Edoc and Zach Guico. The South squad will lean on the likes of Alexis Nailga and Luciano Copok (15-18); Ralph Batican and Ken Guillermo (11-14); and Ethan Lago and Kvan Alburo (7-10).

Monarchs, Tangerines strike

The Dasmariñas Monarchs netted their second straight win to seize league leadership while the reigning champions Quezon Tangerines bounced back against separate foes in Week 2 of the 2025 Maharlika Pilipinas Volleyball Association (MPVA) over the weekend at the Arellano Gym in Manila.

On the heels of a big debut win over the Tangerines, the Monarchs swept the Pasay squad, 25-13, 26-24, 25-20, for a 2-0 slate in the eight-team tourney founded by former Senator Manny Pacquiao, also the man behind the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL).

Vange Alinsug scored 12 points while Alexa Nichole Mata and Myrtle Escanlar had nine points each for the powerhouse Dasma squad backed by two-time UAAP and three-time SSL champion National U Lady Bulldogs.

Dasma needed only 81 minutes to dispatch Pasay after an earlier sweep of Quezon, 25-22, 25-23, 25-23, to emerge as the early title favorite in the second staging of the MPVA.

Pasay slid to 1-1, failing to follow up its 25-23, 13-25, 25-17, 23-25, 15-8 win over the Negros ICC Blue Hawks.

In the other game, Camilla Amor Bartolome rifled in 19 points as Quezon poured its wrath on the Caloocan AM Spikers, 25-12, 25-14, 25-21, for a 1-1 slate.

SM Supermalls wins big at HR Asia Awards 2025, marking 40 years of transformative leadership

As SM Supermalls celebrates its 40th anniversary, it clinches four major honors at the prestigious HR Asia Awards 2025, reaffirming its legacy of people-first leadership and transformative workplace culture.

For the third consecutive year, SM Supermalls was named one of HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work For, alongside three standout category wins: the Sustainable Workplace Award, the Most Caring Company Award and the Tech Empowerment Award.

‘These awards are more than milestones-they reflect our enduring culture at SM, where people are at the heart of everything we do,’ said SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan. ‘We are proud of our teams whose passion and dedication make SM not only one of the best companies to work for, but a place where we create meaningful impact for our employees, communities, and the country.’

Award highlights Best Companies to Work For in Asia (3rd consecutive year)

SM’s workplace culture is anchored on the key messaging pillars of the SM LIFE framework-Purpose, Passion and Performance.

Initiatives such as Leadership Town Halls, Candid Coffee with Leaders, Feedback Fridays and the Culture Caravan foster authenticity, inclusion, and growth across all levels.

Most Caring Company Award (2nd consecutive year)

SM’s 360 Wellness Programs include unlimited online mental health counseling, wellness learning series and Celebrate YOU events such as PRIDE Month and Women Empowerment.

Championing safe and brave spaces for all, programs such as Ethics Beat and Safe Spaces promote transparency, accountability, and DEIB across the organization. Employee engagement programs have a 100% employee reach.

Sustainable Workplace Award

Sustainability is embedded in SM’s DNA. From the Trash to Cash recycling program and Coastal Clean-Up drives to its bold commitment to Net Zero by 2040, SM empowers employees to lead environmental and community efforts through its partnership with SM Cares.

Employee volunteerism rises strongly with a 100% increase compared to the previous year.

Tech Empowerment Award

Innovation drives SM’s HR transformation. Tools like the SMILE HCM platform, SAM AI chatbot, DigiU eLearning and the SM Life app deliver seamless employee experiences. With 90% utilization for the SM Life app and 80% for DigiU learning, digital adoption is high and impactful.

A Legacy of Leadership

Cheryll Ruth L. Agsaoay, senior vice president for human resources, shared:

‘These recognitions affirm our belief that when we design positive employee experiences-caring for people’s wellbeing, embracing innovation and championing sustainability-we create a workplace that inspires purpose and growth. We see our culture efforts as continuous work-in-progress because at SM, we never stop learning and aiming to be better every day.’

As SM Supermalls enters a new era beyond its 40th year, these accolades underscore a powerful truth: its greatest asset has always been its people-and its future will be shaped by the culture it continuously nurtures.