Laken Snelling sentenced to 10 years for newborn's death

Laken Snelling, a 22-year-old former University of Kentucky cheerleader, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to the death of her newborn son. The charges included first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence, and concealing the birth of an infant.

The incident occurred in August 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky. Police responded to a residence on Park Avenue after roommates reported hearing loud noises and seeing blood in Snelling's room. Upon entering, they discovered the infant's body wrapped in a towel, placed inside a black trash bag, and hidden in a closet.

The Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office determined the infant was born alive and died from asphyxia. During her plea hearing in Fayette Circuit Court, Snelling stated, “Instead of helping him, I ended his life,” and admitted to not allowing the baby to breathe. Snelling had previously withdrawn from the University of Kentucky following her arrest.