Who Is Laken Snelling? University Of Kentucky Cheerleader Case

Laken Snelling is a 22-year-old former University of Kentucky student and member of the university’s competitive STUNT cheerleading team. Snelling was arrested after her newborn son was found dead inside a closet at her Lexington, Kentucky, home in August 2025. A grand jury later charged her with first-degree manslaughter after the medical examiner determined the child had been born alive and died from asphyxia by undetermined means. On August 21, 2026, Snelling pleaded guilty to manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant. [WKYT]

Laken Snelling Infant Death Case

Snelling Arrested After Newborn Found In Trash Bag Inside Closet. Lexington police responded to a Park Avenue residence after receiving a report of an unresponsive infant. Officers found Snelling’s newborn son wrapped in a towel inside a black trash bag in a closet, where he was pronounced dead. Police arrested Snelling four days later and initially charged her with abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant. [LEX 18]

Police: Snelling Admitted Giving Birth And Cleaning Up Evidence. According to her arrest citation, Snelling admitted after being advised of her rights that she had given birth. Police said she also admitted cleaning evidence from the birth and putting the cleaning materials and the towel-wrapped infant into a black trash bag. [LEX 18]

Court Records: Snelling Said Baby Whimpered And Later Turned Blue And Purple. Records obtained by WKYT said Snelling initially told police she did not believe the infant was alive after birth. She later told medical personnel that the baby had displayed movement and made a whimper. According to the affidavit, Snelling also said she passed out and fell on the child, and when she awoke he had turned blue and purple. [WKYT]

Investigators Found Pregnancy Searches And Deleted Labor Photos On Snelling’s Phone. A search of Snelling’s phone uncovered pregnancy-related searches, including material concerning concealed or hidden pregnancies, according to court records. Investigators also found photographs of Snelling during labor that had been deleted, leading police to suspect other evidence connected to the pregnancy and birth may also have been removed. [WKYT]

Medical Examiner Determined Snelling’s Son Was Born Alive And Died From Asphyxia. The Kentucky Medical Examiner’s Office subsequently determined that the infant had been born alive. Authorities listed his cause of death as asphyxia by undetermined means. The finding preceded the addition of a homicide charge against Snelling. [Lexington Police]

University Of Kentucky Says Snelling Withdrew From School And STUNT Team. Snelling had been a University of Kentucky student and had competed on the school’s STUNT team for three seasons. After her arrest, a university spokesperson told LEX 18 that Snelling had withdrawn from the university and, as a result, was no longer a member of the team. [LEX 18]

Laken Snelling Court Case

Grand Jury Added First-Degree Manslaughter Charge Against Snelling. A Fayette County grand jury indicted Snelling in March 2026 on first-degree manslaughter as well as the three charges stemming from her original arrest: abuse of a corpse, tampering with physical evidence and concealing the birth of an infant. Lexington police said the manslaughter charge was added by the grand jury following the investigation into the infant’s death. [WEKU]

Snelling Initially Pleaded Not Guilty To Manslaughter And Other Charges. Snelling appeared for arraignment in April 2026 and entered a not-guilty plea to first-degree manslaughter, abuse of a corpse, evidence tampering and concealing an infant’s birth. [WKYT]

Snelling Pleads Guilty, Tells Judge She Ended Her Son’s Life. Snelling changed her plea on August 21, 2026, admitting guilt to all four charges. During questioning by the judge, Snelling said she had been under significant emotional stress when the baby arrived unexpectedly and acknowledged that rather than helping him, she ended his life. She also admitted putting towels into a plastic bag and not telling anyone about the birth. [WKYT]

Prosecutors Recommend 10-Year Manslaughter Sentence For Snelling. Prosecutors recommended a 10-year prison sentence for first-degree manslaughter, plus one year each for abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence and 12 months for concealing the birth. The judge will determine Snelling’s final sentence, with sentencing scheduled for October 16, 2026. If the judge exceeds the prosecution’s recommended punishment, Snelling would have the option to withdraw her guilty plea. [WKYT]